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Periodontal referral patterns, 1980 versus 2000: a preliminary study.
Charles M Cobb1, Alexa Carrara, Erica El-Annan
1University of Missouri-Kansas City, School of Dentistry, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA.
Journal of Periodontology
|December 5, 2003
Summary
Periodontal referral patterns show patients are older and have more severe disease, with increased tooth loss and extractions in 2000 compared to 1980. Fewer patients used tobacco.
Area of Science:
- Periodontology
- Dental Public Health
Background:
- Limited data exists on trends in periodontal therapy referrals.
- Inflammatory periodontal disease knowledge has advanced significantly over two decades.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze changes in periodontal referral patterns between 1980 and 2000.
- To compare patient characteristics in periodontal practices across a 20-year interval.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 782 patient charts from three periodontal practices.
- Data collected included patient demographics, smoking status, periodontal case type, missing teeth, and planned extractions.
- Statistical analysis used descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests to compare 1980-1981 and 2000-2001 cohorts.
Main Results:
- Average patient age at initial examination increased.
- Tobacco use among referred patients decreased.
- Prevalence of severe periodontal disease (Case Type IV) increased, while less severe cases (Case Type II) decreased.
- Average number of missing teeth and teeth scheduled for extraction per patient increased.
Conclusions:
- Patient profiles referred for periodontal therapy shifted significantly between 1980 and 2000.
- Despite reduced tobacco use, patients in 2000 presented with greater tooth loss and more severe periodontal conditions requiring more extensive treatment.
- These trends suggest evolving referral patterns and potentially later-stage disease presentation.