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Periodontal conditions in Swiss Army recruits
1Dental Service of the Swiss Army, School of Dental Medicine, University of Berne.
Schweizer Monatsschrift Fur Zahnmedizin = Revue Mensuelle Suisse D'Odonto-Stomatologie = Rivista Mensile Svizzera Di Odontologia E Stomatologia
|January 1, 1992
Summary
This study assessed oral hygiene in 757 Swiss Army recruits, finding minimal plaque and bleeding. Severe periodontitis was absent in 99% of participants, indicating good periodontal health in young Swiss males.
Area of Science:
- Oral Health
- Periodontology
- Public Health
Background:
- Oral hygiene and periodontal status are crucial indicators of overall health.
- Assessing these conditions in young adult populations provides valuable public health data.
- Previous research has highlighted variations in oral health across different demographics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the oral hygiene and periodontal status of a representative sample of young Swiss males.
- To establish baseline data on plaque levels, gingival bleeding, and attachment loss in this demographic.
- To determine the prevalence of severe periodontal disease among Swiss Army recruits.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 757 Swiss Army recruits.
- Oral health assessment included Plaque Index (PlI), Retention Index (RI), Sulcus Bleeding Index (SBI), Probing Depth (PD), and Loss of Probing Attachment (LA).
- Evaluation focused on all teeth of the right maxillary and mandibular dental arches.
Main Results:
- Mean Plaque Index (PlI) and Sulcus Bleeding Index (SBI) were approximately 0.6; mean Retention Index (RI) was around 0.1.
- Mean Probing Depth (PD) was 2.3 mm, and mean Loss of Attachment (LA) was 0.9 mm.
- Only 0.4% of recruits exhibited probing depths ≥5 mm, and 1% showed LA ≥4 mm, indicating a low prevalence of severe periodontal disease.
Conclusions:
- Young male Swiss citizens exhibit generally good oral hygiene and periodontal health.
- Severe signs of chronic adult periodontitis are largely absent in this population.
- The findings support the need for continued monitoring of oral health in young adults.