Progression of periodontal pockets in the age cohort 35-44 years

In 1985 the Health Department of the Italian Telephone Company decided to launch an oral health programme for all its employees and their relatives, with the collaboration of the WHO Collaborating Centre of the Clinica Odontoiatrica Ospedale S. Paolo, Milan. The programme started with an epidemiological survey of dental and periodontal condition; following data analysis, the company also contracted with private dentists to provide oral care. Four years later, in 1989, several studies were set up to evaluate the programme. The WHO Collaborating Centre Milan was requested to evaluate the periodontal care given to a sample of persons living in the Milan area. Seventy-seven individuals with established periodontal lesions were selected out of a group of 678 aged between 35 and 44 years examined in 1985. The same periodontal and dental indices used in 1985, CPITN (Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs) and DMFT (decayed, missing, filled teeth), were re-evaluated in these 77 persons and information about any periodontal care since 1985 was collected and checked against the reimbursement records of the Telephone Company. There was an increase in the percentage of persons with deep pockets (from 55.8 to 72.7 per cent), and of the mean of sextants affected (from 0.9 to 1.9). These individuals had been treated for dental problems, as demonstrated by an increase in the F component and a reduction of the D component of the DMFT, but had undergone virtually no treatment for periodontal problems. This may be considered as a longitudinal study on the natural progression of periodontal pathology in individuals with established periodontal lesions.