CPITN--a WHO initiative

When the WHO Global Oral Data Bank was initiated in 1969 the Periodontal Index and the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index were the two preferred methods for data accumulation. It became clear that these two indices were not wholly satisfactory and in 1977 a WHO Scientific Group meeting was convened in Moscow which produced a prototype index, the TRS 621. In 1980 a Joint Working Group was established with the FDI from which emerged the formal adoption of CPITN. As a result the CPITN has enabled the sufficient accumulation of epidemiological data to permit much progress in our knowledge of periodontal disease, as well as being developed for clinical use in screening. Those involved with the development of the CPITN may be justly proud of the subsequent achievements resulting from this initiative.