Periodontal conditions in 15-19-year-old Chileans

A CPITN survey involving Chilean high school students aged 15-19 years was conducted. A random stratified sample by age, sex and socio-economic status was obtained, and comprised 2400 subjects. The total prevalence of periodontal disease (Code 3+4) was 10.49 per cent. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of periodontal disease in males (9 per cent) compared to females (12.16 per cent). The prevalence of periodontal disease was higher in students of low socio-economic status (15.87 per cent) than in students of middle (9.22 per cent) and high socio-economic status (8.93 per cent). The periodontal treatment needs were also higher for students of low socio-economic status than for students of the highest family income. The prevalence of periodontal disease and treatment needs found in Chilean students showed that virtually this entire population needs oral hygiene instruction, that 70 per cent need scaling, and that 10.49 per cent need complex periodontal treatment.