Correlates of Periodontal Health Status of Singaporean Adults

Objectives: This study was part of a national oral health promotion programme aimed at improving the oral health status of the adult population. It sought to monitor the periodontal health status of the Singaporean adult population and to explore factors associated with disease severity among the different segments of the population. Methods: 1 474 adults participated in the study; they were randomly selected based on a stratified sampling framework. The subjects comprised adults above 20 years old of different ethnic groups. Half-mouth periodontal examination was carried out using the CPI probe. Periodontal disease severity was assessed according to the CPI criteria. Teeth were also examined for presence of dental plaque, bleeding on probing, supra- and subgingival calculus. The data were analysed with SPSS13.0 and all statistical tests were conducted at 5% level of significance. Results: Over 90% of the population presented with some form of periodontal disease (CPI score 1 to CPI score 4). 60.8% of those examined had CPI score 3 and above. 13.8% of them presented with at least 1 tooth displaying CPI 4. Logistic regression showed that flossing behaviour, age, educational levels, racial group and gender were associated with periodontal severity (presence of CPI 4). A higher proportion of those with more than 50% dental plaque, bleeding and calculus were more likely to present with more severe periodontal disease. Conclusion: While the findings are in line with the global pattern of periodontal disease, the study reinforces the importance of periodontal health promotion to improve the oral health of the adult population. There is also a need to identify periodontal risk factors associated with specific groups within the population.

The study is supported by Health Promotion Board, Singapore.