Self-assessed bleeding in monitoring gingival health among adolescents

The purpose of this descriptive, cross-sectional community-based investigation was to assess the self-assessment of bleeding and plaque as methods to monitor gingival health among adolescents. Two study groups (n = 184 each) of 14-year-old Finnish school children performed either of self-assessment plaque or bleeding. Prior to that they were clinically examined by 10 dentists from the community dental service who recorded bleeding on probing from four surfaces of all teeth (BOP%) and Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN) status. The self-assessment of plaque was not significantly correlated with a clinical bleeding on probing measurement (BOP%). The self-assessment of bleeding, based on observed bleeding after toothbrushing and after interproximal cleaning with toothpicks, exhibited statistically significant correlation with BOP% (r = 0.54, P < 0.001). Percent agreement was 75%, kappa agreement 0.33, sensitivity 31% and specificity 71%, respectively. In conclusion, the preliminary results suggest that the self-assessment of bleeding does not have sufficient validity for screening individuals but it could be a useful method for monitoring gingival health of populations, in particular, if the concurrent aim is to enhance periodontal awareness.