Journal of Dental Research, Vol 64, 932-935, Copyright © 1985 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Smoking and periodontal disease in the Finnish population aged 30 years and over
H. Markkanen, I. Paunio, R. Tuominen and M. Rajala
The aim of this study, which was part of the Mini-Finland Oral Health
Survey, was to evaluate the effect of smoking on periodontal condition in
the Finnish adult population. A representative sample was drawn from the
population aged 30 years and over. The total number of subjects was 8000,
90% of whom participated in the clinical examination. Periodontal diagnoses
were made according to the modified Periodontal Treatment Need System
(PTNS). Information about age, toothbrushing, and smoking habits was
collected by personal interviews. When the sample was divided into two
groups (with and without periodontal pockets), the overall risk ratio (RR)
was 1.39 and was slightly higher for men than for women. A log-linear model
was used to study simultaneous associations and interactions between
smoking, periodontal disease, and some background factors. In this model,
smoking had not significantly affected the periodontal condition.
