DENTAL CONDITIONS AMONG THE POLYNESIANS OF PUKAPUKA (DANGER ISLAND)

II. THE PREVALENCE OF PERIODONTAL DISEASE

¹ Department of Preventive Dentistry, University of Otago Dental School, Dunedin, New Zealand

1. Of 497 subjects examined, 45 per cent (225) were affected to a greater or lesser extent by periodontal disease compared with 41 per cent of Rarotongans examined by Faine and Hercus.²

2. Of the 225 cases of periodontal disease 62 (28 per cent) were classed as mild gingivitis (Grade 1), 68 (30 per cent) as moderate gingivitis (Grade 2), 40 (18 per cent) as severe gingivitis, and 55 (24 per cent) as severe gingivitis with associated generalized periodontitis. These figures are similar to those for Rarotongans.

3. There was no significant difference in the incidence of periodontal disease between males and females.

4. A strong association was found between the incidence of periodontal disease and increasing age. Children under 10 years of age were rarely affected, whereas 92 per cent of adults over 41 years of age were affected.

5. Occlusal trauma, food impaction, and premature wear of teeth were found to be associated with periodontal disease in 34.6, 9.7, and 8 per cent of cases, respectively.

6. There was a very significant association between the degrees of periodontal involvement and the extent of both supra- and subgingival calculus formation.

7. No significant difference was found between calculus formation in males and females.

8. A strongly significant association was found between the degree of attrition of teeth and the degree of periodontal involvement.

9. Emphasis is laid upon the general health implications of severe periodontitis.

10. A significant association was found between high erythrocyte sedimentation rates and severe periodontal disease, and also between high serum protein values and severe periodontitis.

11. A negative association was shown to exist between leukocyte counts and severe periodontal disease.

12. The possible influence of vitamins A and C deficiencies as predisposing factors in periodontal disease is mentioned.

13. Some of the etiological factors are discussed and it is concluded that, in lieu of any known cause of a high rate of calculus formation, the application of routine subgingival sealings would do much to lower the incidence of severe periodontal disease on the atoll.