[CPITN (Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs)--what is its use and what does it mean?]

CPITN was originally designed for describing periodontal treatment needs in populations. It has also been used to describe the prevalence of periodontal conditions and as a screening test to identify patients who need complex or simple treatment. The results from the present study show that the index will over-estimate the prevalence of calculus, but will give a correct estimate of bleeding. The index is acceptable as a screening test if "1 or more sextants with CPITN score 4" is chosen as a screening criterion.