Periodontal conditions in medically compromised elderly subjects: assessments of treatment needs

Periodontal conditions were studied in 42 dentate elderly subjects (mean age, 84.1 +/- 8.0 years). None of them had received recent dental care or was routinely seen by a dentist. Overall, they had 20.2 +/- 7.1 teeth (range, 6-32). The CPITN was used to assess periodontal status. Twenty-nine percent of all sextants were either edentulous or had only one remaining tooth. The overall oral hygiene was poor (Plaque Index, 1.8 +/- 0.5) and gingival inflammation severe (Gingival Index, 1.9 +/- 0.8). Significant correlations were found between: Gingival and Plaque Indices (r = 0.82, p < 0.001), and pocket depth and Gingival Index (r = 0.38, p < 0.05). Plaque Index was negatively correlated to the number of remaining teeth (r = -0.43, p < 0.050). Age and remaining teeth were negatively correlated (r = -0.38, p < 0.05). Thirty percent of the posterior sextants had a CPITN score of "4," and 75% of the posterior sextants had at least one site with a pocket depth 4 mm. Only 2.9% of all sites demonstrated pocket depth 6 mm and these sites were distributed among 67% of the subjects. The CPITN index was correlated to the mean pocket depth for the various sextants, the correlation varying between r = 0.67, p < 0.001 (upper right posterior) and 0.36, p < 0.05 (upper left posterior) sextants. The total manpower estimated to complete initial therapy for 42 patients was approximately 63 hours by a dentist and 85 hours by a dental hygienist.