The potential for increase in the periodontal diseases of the aged population

The periodontal disease trends in the nation's older adults aged 55 to 74 years are assessed using National Center for Health Statistics data spanning an approximate 12-year period. Both the 1960 to 1962 Health Examination Survey and the 1971 to 1974 Health and Nutrition Examination Survey I surveys used similar multistaged stratified probability samples. Examinations were calibrated and the collection of periodontal disease (PI), oral hygiene (OHI) and tooth loss scores were standardized. Data were collected on 1567 persons in 1960 to 1962 and 4746 persons in 1971 to 1974. The mean PI scores between the two surveys were not statistically different. However, when the periodontal diseases were divided into individuals with or without pockets, there was a significant decline in the per cent without pockets (P less than 0.001) while the per cent with pockets remained unchanged or increased. The significant reduction in OHI scores (P less than 0.02) seems to validate the decrease in gingivitis. The improvement in tooth loss was reflected by both the greater proportion of dentulous adults, and among the dentulous, a retention of more than two teeth per person by 1971 to 1974. A hypothesis is discussed regarding tooth retention and the periodontal diseases with projections for the year 2000.