Periodontal status of 14-16 year-old Danish schoolchildren

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of periodontal disease in teenagers. The survey was conducted on 325 children aged 14, 15 and 16 years, living in Aarhus, Denmark. Pocket depth and loss of attachment was measured in mm at the maxillary and mandibular first molars and incisors. Plaque, calculus and gingival bleeding on probing were recorded. A total of 221 children (68%) had 4-5 mm deep pockets and 19 children (5.8%) had pockets deeper than 5 mm on at least one tooth. Approximately 11% of the subjects showed loss of attachment on at least one tooth. The frequency of surfaces with plaque and gingivitis was high in all three age groups. Plaque, gingivitis, deepened pockets and loss of attachment were most frequently observed on interproximal surfaces. No significant differences were observed between the sexes with regard to periodontal disease.