The incidence of periodontal disease and its impact on future dental practice

This paper reviews the prevalence and possible changes in prevalence of periodontal disease from epidemiological investigations carried out within the previous two decades. Although many older studies used unreliable indices, there is some evidence that clinically significant periodontitis is now restricted to between 15 and 20% of the population with certain groups, such as smokers and diabetics, at particular risk. The outlook for general dental practice in the future is also considered. As elderly people will form a greater proportion of the future population, and are more likely to remain dentate, more periodontal treatment may be required. To identify individuals and communities at risk, high-quality periodontal epidemiological information is of more importance than ever before.