Changes in periodontal status of children and young adolescents: a one year longitudinal study

The purpose of the present study was to describe longitudinal changes in accumulation of dental plaque and gingival inflammation, and their effect on changes in sulcus depth of children and young adolescents. Forty one boys and 37 girls aged 1-12 years living in a rural community in Israel were included in the study. At baseline and 12 months later, Loe's Plaque Index (PlI) and Gingival Index (GI), and sulcus depth were examined. Boys' mean age was significantly lower than girls' mean age (6.04 + 2.76 years, and 7.68 + 2.84 years respectively). PlI, GI and sulcus depth were higher in the 12-month examination compared to baseline. PlI was slightly higher in boys, while GI was slightly higher in girls. These differences however, were not statistically significant. At baseline, sulcus depth was significantly greater in girls than in boys, while at 12 months the difference was not significant. The children were grouped by age as follows: 1-5 years, 6-9 years and 10-12 years. PlI and GI mean scores were significantly higher among the 6-9-year-old individuals. Mean sulcus depth for the 10-12-year-old children was greater than that of the 6-9-year-olds at baseline and after 12 months. The effect of age, PlI and GI on the outcome variable (sulcus depth) was examined using a correlation matrix. At baseline, age showed the highest correlation (r = 0.659) followed by GI (r = 0.364) and PlI (r = 0.123). The same pattern was also observed at the 12 months examination.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)