Depressive symptoms in relation to periodontal health in a Jordanian sample.

OBJECTIVES: This cross-sectional study examines the relationship of depression symptoms to periodontal diseases and decayed (D), missing (M) and filled teeth (FT) in a sample of the Jordanian population. METHODS: Subjects escorting dental patients attending two dental hospitals in North Jordan were included. Each subject received full periodontal examination, including probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), gingival index (GI) and plaque index (PI). The numbers of M, D and F teeth were also recorded. The Zung Self-rating Depression Scale was used to determine susceptibility to depression. RESULTS: The frequency of high susceptibility to depression among periodontitis-free subjects and those with periodontitis was found to be 48% and 50% respectively. There was no statistically significant association between susceptibility to depression symptoms and periodontal parameters, including PPD, CAL, PI and GI (P > 0.05). HOWEVER, SUBJECTS WITH LOW SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DEPRESSION HAD SIGNIFICANTLY MORE FT THAN SUBJECTS HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO DEPRESSION. CONCLUSIONS: High susceptibility to depression does not play a significant role in the aetiology and severity of periodontitis in the population studied.

Smoking and caries experience in subjects with various form of periodontal diseases from a teaching hospital clinic.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the relationships between aggressive periodontitis (AgP), caries and smoking. METHOD AND MATERIALS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients who were specifically referred to the Dental Teaching Clinic in Irbid, Jordan for periodontal treatment. Self-administered questionnaire related to socio-demographic data and smoking habits was completed. The oral hygiene, gingival status, periodontal health and dental status of the participants was determined by using the plaque index of Silness and Loe [Acta Odontol Scand, 22 (1964), 121], the gingival index of Loe and Silness [Acta Odontol Scand, 21 (1963), 233], clinical attachment level (CAL) and decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index respectively. RESULT: The prevalence of smoking was greater in chronic periodontitis (CP) group (44.2%) than in either chronic gingivitis (CG) (27.4%) or AgP (29.9%) group. Self-reported perio-diseases in the close family was more prevalent (77%) among subjects diagnosed with AgP. The mean plaque scores were significantly higher for smoker than non-smoker in AgP group only (P = 0.04), with significantly greater plaque and gingival scores in CG and CP groups than AgP group (P = 0.012, 0.004). A significantly greater mean gingival scores were noted among CG and CP groups than AgP group (P = 0.004). The mean CAL was higher in smokers than in non-smokers in the three groups, with statistically significant differences in CP and AgP groups (P = 0.04, 0.01 respectively).The mean number of DMFT was significantly higher in smoker than in non-smoker of all age groups (P = 0.016, 0.043 and 0.01). However, mean DMFT was significantly greater in CP and CG than AgP groups. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that (i) higher plaque and gingival index among smokers in all groups; (ii) significant difference in the CAL between smoker and non-smoke in CP and AgP groups; (iii) significant increase in caries risk among smokers in all groups; (iv) smokers and non-smokers of AgP group had significantly lower mean DMFT scores than those of CG or CP groups.

Dental anxiety in children and its relationship to dental caries and gingival condition.

The aim of this study was to determine the levels of dental anxiety, dental caries and gingivitis among 12-15-year-old schoolchildren, in Irbid Governorate/northern Jordan, and to evaluate the correlation between these variables. Two schools were selected by a simple random method from each of the five geographic areas in Irbid Governorate. All children (1021), from the 10 selected schools, who participated in this study completed a questionnaire modified from Kleinknecht's Dental Fear Survey (DFS questionnaire). Children underwent oral examination for dental caries and gingival condition, using Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) Index and Löe and Silness Gingival Index (GI), respectively. Results of this survey showed that the prevalence of low to moderate 'general dental fear' among the study population was 43% while that of 'high dental fear' was 10%. The self-reported 'general fear of dental treatment' was higher among girls than boys. Fear of specific stimuli (pain) was the most common source of dental fear. The sight and sensation of the anaesthetic needle and the sight, sound and sensation of the drill were rated the most fear-eliciting stimuli. The mean DMFT (2.89) and GI (1.80) of boys was not significantly different from the DMFT (3.37) and GI (1.53) of girls (P > 0.05). Spearman's correlation test demonstrated no association between 'general dental fear' and dental caries (r = 0.06) or gingivitis (r = 0.007).

Oral health knowledge and dental health practices among schoolchildren in Jerash district/Jordan.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims at determining the oral health awareness level, the patterns of dental health practices and their potential relationship with certain socio-demographic factors, including gender (sex), mother's education and the socio-economic status of the family, among 14-15-year-old schoolchildren in Jerash Governorate, Northern Jordan. PARTICIPANTS AND METHOD: Cross-sectional survey including 1362 public schoolchildren, who completed a self-administered structured questionnaire. RESULTS: Overall, the level of oral health knowledge among the surveyed children was low. Of the 1362 schoolchildren included in this survey, only 18 and 17% did know the meaning of plaque and what plaque can cause, respectively. Female performance was significantly better than male performance on two of the six knowledge questions (P < 0.01). While 17% of children have never been to the dentist, there are 10% only who visit the dentist on regular basis. The majority (56%) of these pupils said they visit the dentist when there is a serious dental or oral health problem. Fear of the dentist and difficulty in obtaining an appointment with the dentist were the causes of irregular visit to the dental clinic in 28 and 19% of the cases, respectively. CONCLUSION: Results of this study prove that oral health awareness level among public schoolchildren in Jordan is still poor and needs to be improved. Based upon these findings, the establishment of a long-term school-based oral health education programme in Jordan is highly recommended.

The periodontal status of pregnant women and its relationship with socio-demographic and clinical variables.

The aims of this study were to assess the periodontal health and oral hygiene status of pregnant women and non-pregnant controls and to evaluate the effect of socio-demographic and other variables on such periodontal status. A total of 400 women, of whom 200 were pregnant (mean age=30 years, s.e.m.=0.05) and 200 non-pregnant controls (mean age=32 years, s.e.m.=0.05) were chosen at random from four health centres. The clinical parameters used were the Silness and Loe plaque index (Pl.I), Loe and Silness gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD), probing attachment level (PAL), any relationship to socio-demographic (age, level of education and professional level) and clinical variables (gestation period, previous pregnancy and vomiting during pregnancy) was evaluated. The results showed that pregnant women had significantly higher GI and PPD scores (P < 0.005) but with no statistically significant differences in PAL or Pl.I (P > 0.01) compared with non-pregnant controls. Increased age, lower level of education and non-employment were associated with significantly higher GI and PPD scores (P < 0.01). All these clinical parameters increased in parallel with the increase in the stage of pregnancy, reaching their maximum at the eighth month. Women with previous or multiple pregnancy had statistically significantly higher GI and PPD scores than those who were pregnant for the first time (P < 0.01), but with no statistically significant differences in Pl.I or PAL scores (P > 0.05). Also, women who vomited during pregnancy had significantly higher GI and PPD scores compared with those who did not vomit (P < 0.05). It is concluded that gingival inflammatory symptoms are aggravated during pregnancy and are related to increased age, lower level of education and non-employment. Therefore periodontal preventive programmes are very important for pregnant women.

Self-assessed bleeding as an indicator of gingival health among 12-14-year-old children.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between self-assessed gingival bleeding (GB) and clinically diagnosed gingival health among 12-14-year-old school children. A study group (982) comprising of school children aged 12-14 years was chosen by a simple random method from the five geographical areas in Irbid Governate, Jordan. All children completed a questionnaire related to self-assessment of GB after brushing before they had a clinical examination for oral hygiene and gingival condition using the criteria of Silness & Löe plaque index (1964) and Löe and Silness gingival index (1963). The results showed that the proportions of children who had self-assessed or clinically assessed GB increased gradually from 12 to 14 years of age with no significant difference (P > 0.05). There were significantly higher proportions of boys than girls who had self-assessed or were clinically assessed GB (P=0.02, 0.001). The mean plaque (1.83 +/- 0.54) and gingival scores (1.90 +/- 0.59) of children who reported GB were significantly higher than parallel scores of children without GB (1.27 +/- 0.62, 1.23 +/- 0.59), respectively (P < 0.001). There was a moderate correlation (r=0.501) between self-assessed GB and gingival health. In conclusion, there was a positive correlation between self-assessed GB and gingival health of 12-14-year-old children. Therefore, this may be beneficial for monitoring gingival health in children of, at least, developing countries.

Prevalence and distribution of dentin hypersensitivity and plaque in a dental hospital population.

OBJECTIVE: Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) is a commonly reported dental problem. Conflicting results on the degree of plaque accumulation at sites with DH have been reported. Therefore, the prevalence and distribution of DH and dental plaque were studied in a dental hospital population. METHOD AND MATERIALS: A total of 302 adult patients were examined for the presence of DH by means of a questionnaire and intraoral examinations. Oral hygiene was measured by Silness and Löe's Plaque Index. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of DH was 52.6%. Significantly more women complained of DH than men. Dentin hypersensitivity and Plaque Index scores were found to be significantly higher in the older age group than in younger groups. Spearman's correlation test revealed no correlation for DH with plaque. About half of the patients reported DH for a duration of within 1 month, while 23% claimed that their DH lasted for 1 to 5 years. Approximately 64% of the patients reported that sensitivity did not interfere with their ability to eat, drink, or brush their teeth, with slight to moderate discomfort, while 11.4% had a severe concern, thereby avoiding these activities most of the time. Of the patients, 17% received professional treatment, while 25% used desensitizing toothpastes. Dentin hypersensitivity was found in all types of teeth, but was most common in first molars and mandibular incisors and canines. CONCLUSION: Because there was no correlation for DH with plaque, a careful assessment of the etiologic or predisposing factors must be considered before attempting the management of patients complaining of hypersensitive teeth.

Trends in oral hygiene, gingival status and dental caries experience in 13-14-year-old Jordanian school children between 1993 and 1999.

AIMS: The aim of this survey was to describe the trends in oral hygiene, gingival condition and dental caries prevalence in 13-14-year-old northern Jordanian school children. METHOD: A dental survey was conducted in 1999, similar to one carried out in 1993, utilising 10 schools (666 pupils) and 20 schools (1,695) with children of 7th grade, respectively. These schools were chosen by a simple random method from the five geographic areas of the city. All participants had dental examinations for oral hygiene, gingival condition and dental caries experience using the Silness and Löe plaque index (Pl.I), Löe and Silness gingival index (GI) and decayed (D), missing (M) and filled (F) teeth (DMFT) and surfaces (DMFS) codes, respectively. RESULTS: Boys had higher plaque and gingival scores than girls in both groups. The mean Pl.I and GI scores of males and females were significantly higher in the 1993 survey than in 1999 (P < 0.05). Also, male and female children examined in 1993 had significantly higher caries experience, as measured by DT, DS, DMFT and DMFS scores than in 1999 (P < 0.01). No differences were found between M and F values of both groups. It is concluded that oral hygiene, gingival condition and dental caries has improved since 1993.

Caries prevalence and periodontal treatment needs in public and private school pupils in Jordan.

A total of 886 pupils aged 15-16 years selected from 20 public and 10 private schools in northern Jordan were investigated for frequency of toothbrushing and sweet consumption, dental caries and periodontal treatment needs. A questionnaire and clinical examination were used utilising decayed-missing-filled teeth (DMFT) code and the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN), respectively. Results revealed that 35.5 per cent of public and 57.1 per cent of private school pupils reported to brush their teeth regularly while the majority of them frequently consumed sweets. There were slight differences in caries experience amongst public and private school pupils, as measured by DMFT (4.74: 4.95). While bleeding and calculus scores were prevalent in pupils of both types of schools, they were slightly higher in pupils of public schools than those in private schools. Both shallow and deep pathological pockets were found in fewer numbers (6.09 per cent) in pupils in public schools only. Oral hygiene instruction and scaling were the predominant periodontal treatment needs in both types of schools. However, the treatment needed by pupils in public schools was higher than those in private schools. Complex treatment was rarely needed by public school pupils only.