Prevalence of juvenile periodontitis in Chile

The aim of this survey was to study the prevalence of juvenile periodontitis in schoolchildren aged 15-19 years in Santiago, Chile. A random sample of 2500 schoolchildren (1318 male, 1182 female) that represented the full range of different socio-economic strata and ethnic groups seen in the population of Santiago, was used. Initially, the children were screened clinically at school by assessment of probing depths around the incisors and first molars with a WHO 621 pattern probe. Children with 2 or more teeth with 5.5 mm or deeper pockets were invited for a radiographic examination comprising bitewing radiographs of molars, and periapical radiographs of incisors. Any subject with 2 mm or more alveolar bone loss was invited for a full clinical and radiographic examination. After screening, 27 subjects had a tentative diagnosis of juvenile periodontitis. 4 of these refused radiographic examination and only accepted a thorough clinical examination. 23 subjects presented themselves for the radiographic and complete clinical examination. Of the 27 subjects selected for detailed examination, 8 subjects (7 female, and 1 male) were diagnosed as having juvenile periodontitis. There was an overall prevalence of juvenile periodontitis of 0.32% with 95% confidence, which gives a range of +/- 0.10%. When prevalence was assessed by socio-economic status, juvenile periodontitis was found more commonly in low socio-economic group. The results of the current study suggest that in Chile, there might be a relationship between socio-economic status and prevalence of juvenile periodontitis, and that this disease is more frequent in women.