Periodontal status among 12-year-old schoolchildren: a population-based cross-sectional study in Quito, Ecuador.

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and extent of bleeding on probing and calculus in 12-year-old schoolchildren of Quito, Ecuador, and evaluate the associated factors. We conducted an epidemiological survey with a representative sample of 1,100 12-year-old schoolchildren from public schools in the urban area of Quito, Ecuador. We assessed the periodontal health using the Community Periodontal Index (CPI). The prevalence and extent of the periodontal condition was based on the presence of at least one site with bleeding on probing (BOP), and the presence of dental calculus was also evaluated. We used univariate and multiple multilevel Poisson regression analyses to verify the association between the independent variables and the number of sextants with BOP and calculus. The prevalence of BOP and calculus was 92% and 69.9%, respectively. The adjusted mean of the affected sextants was 4.3 and 2.2 for BOP and calculus, respectively. The mother's schooling and malocclusion were associated with the number of sextants with bleeding. The mother's schooling and dental caries experience were associated with calculus. Gingival bleeding and the presence of dental calculus are highly prevalent in 12-year-old schoolchildren from Quito. Gingival bleeding is associated with maternal education and malocclusion, and dental calculus is associated with maternal education and dental caries.

Co-occurrence of periodontal lesions and dental wear in incisor and masticatory teeth in two sheep flocks in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis and tooth wear are multifactorial diseases with distinct etiopathogenesis that affect the health, feed efficiency and welfare of sheep. METHODS: This study evaluated the co-occurrence of tooth wear and periodontal lesions in 129 ewes from two Brazilian flocks, clinically classified the lesions and presence of dental calculus, and identified potential pathogens in the dental biofilm of 63 ewes by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Of the 129 ewes included in the study, 75 presented periodontal lesions, while all animals presented tooth wear and dental calculus. Of the animals with periodontal lesions, 16.2% had lesions in incisor teeth and 52.7% in masticatory teeth. Regarding excessive tooth wear, 38.6% had severe wear on the incisor teeth and 89.1% on the masticatory teeth. Ewes older than 36 months had a higher frequency of periodontal lesions in incisor teeth (p < 0.001) and a greater amount of dental calculus (p < 0.001), but there was no association between tooth wear and animal age. Fusobacterium nucleatum, Tannerella forsythia and Fusobacterium necrophorum predominated in periodontal lesions. LIMITATION: This study is limited by the small sample size and lack of diagnostic imaging to assess periodontal disease. CONCLUSION: The co-occurrence of periodontal lesions and excessive dental wear involving both the incisor and masticatory teeth suggests that although the two diseases have different aetiologies, they likely have common risk factors.

Ancient human dental calculus metadata collection and sampling strategies: Recommendations for best practices.

OBJECTIVES: Ancient human dental calculus is a unique, nonrenewable biological resource encapsulating key information about the diets, lifestyles, and health conditions of past individuals and populations. With compounding calls its destructive analysis, it is imperative to refine the ways in which the scientific community documents, samples, and analyzes dental calculus so as to maximize its utility to the public and scientific community. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our research team conducted an IRB-approved survey of dental calculus researchers with diverse academic backgrounds, research foci, and analytical specializations. RESULTS: This survey reveals variation in how metadata is collected and utilized across different subdisciplines and highlights how these differences have profound implications for dental calculus research. Moreover, the survey suggests the need for more communication between those who excavate, curate, and analyze biomolecular data from dental calculus. DISCUSSION: Challenges in cross-disciplinary communication limit researchers' ability to effectively utilize samples in rigorous and reproducible ways. Specifically, the lack of standardized skeletal and dental metadata recording and contamination avoidance procedures hinder downstream anthropological applications, as well as the pursuit of broader paleodemographic and paleoepidemiological inquiries that rely on more complete information about the individuals sampled. To provide a path forward toward more ethical and standardized dental calculus sampling and documentation approaches, we review the current methods by which skeletal and dental metadata are recorded. We also describe trends in sampling and contamination-control approaches. Finally, we use that information to suggest new guidelines for ancient dental calculus documentation and sampling strategies that will improve research practices in the future.

Obesity Phenotypes and Dental Calculus in Young Adults: CHIEF Oral Health Study.

AIM: The study aimed to examine the association of obesity phenotypes with dental calculus. BACKGROUND: Obesity has been recognized as a risk factor for kidney and gallbladder stones formation and periodontitis. OBJECTIVE: We have investigated the association between obesity, metabolic risk factors, and dental calculus, which is a sequela following periodontitis. METHODS: This study included 5,281 military members, aged 19-45 years, without antihypertensive medications in Taiwan. Obesity was defined as body mass index ≥27.5 kg/m2, and metabolic syndrome (MetS) was defined according to the modified ATP III criteria. Supragingival calculus in any teeth, except for impacted teeth and the third molar, was the outcome of interest. Multiple linear regression analysis with adjustments for age, sex, toxic substance use, brushing teeth frequency, and blood leukocyte counts, was used to determine the association of obesity with dental calculus numbers. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between obesity with or without MetS and the presence of any dental calculus. RESULTS: BMI was positively correlated to dental calculus numbers [ß and confidence intervals (CI) = 0.023 (0.014, 0.032)]. Compared to the obesity(-)/MetS(-) group, there were dosedependent associations for the obesity(-)/MetS(+), obesity(+)/MetS(-), and obesity(+)/MetS(+) groups with the presence of any dental calculus [odds ratios (ORs): 1.08 (0.76, 1.53), 1.31 (1.08, 1.58), and 1.51 (1.20, 1.90), respectively]. Of the metabolic risk factors, abdominal obesity and hypertension were independently associated with dental calculus [ORs: 1.33 (1.13, 1.55) and 1.30 (1.11, 1.52), respectively]. CONCLUSION: This study suggests general obesity as an independent risk factor for dental calculus formation, and MetS, particularly the components of abdominal obesity, and hypertension may also increase the prevalence of dental calculus. Diet control and regular exercise might be preventive measures for the development of both obesity and dental calculus.

Ancient dental calculus reveals oral microbiome shifts associated with lifestyle and disease in Great Britain.

The prevalence of chronic, non-communicable diseases has risen sharply in recent decades, especially in industrialized countries. While several studies implicate the microbiome in this trend, few have examined the evolutionary history of industrialized microbiomes. Here we sampled 235 ancient dental calculus samples from individuals living in Great Britain (∼2200 BCE to 1853 CE), including 127 well-contextualized London adults. We reconstructed their microbial history spanning the transition to industrialization. After controlling for oral geography and technical biases, we identified multiple oral microbial communities that coexisted in Britain for millennia, including a community associated with Methanobrevibacter, an anaerobic Archaea not commonly prevalent in the oral microbiome of modern industrialized societies. Calculus analysis suggests that oral hygiene contributed to oral microbiome composition, while microbial functions reflected past differences in diet, specifically in dairy and carbohydrate consumption. In London samples, Methanobrevibacter-associated microbial communities are linked with skeletal markers of systemic diseases (for example, periostitis and joint pathologies), and their disappearance is consistent with temporal shifts, including the arrival of the Second Plague Pandemic. This suggests pre-industrialized microbiomes were more diverse than previously recognized, enhancing our understanding of chronic, non-communicable disease origins in industrialized populations.

Association Between Dental Calculus and Hypertension Phenotypes in Highly Fit Adults: CHIEF Oral Health Study.

BACKGROUND: Poor oral health evaluated by presence of dental calculus has been associated with hypertension (HTN) among middle- and old-aged adults. However, it is unclear for the association of HTN phenotypes with dental calculus in young adults. METHODS: This study examined the association between dental calculus and HTN in 5,345 military personnel, aged 19-45 years, without antihypertensive medications therapy in Taiwan from 2018 to 2021. Dental calculus was defined as presence of supragingival calculus in any teeth, except impacted teeth, and third molar. Combined HTN (CHTN) was diagnosed as systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥130 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥80 mm Hg. Isolated systolic and diastolic HTN were, respectively, defined as SBP ≥130 mm Hg only (ISHTN) and DBP ≥80 mm Hg only (IDHTN). Multiple logistic regression with adjustments for sex, age, toxic substance use, anthropometrics, lipid profiles, fasting glucose, and blood leukocyte counts were used to determine the association between dental calculus and HTN phenotypes in young adults. RESULTS: The prevalence of those with dental calculus, CHTN, ISHTN, and IDHTN was 20.8%, 10.8%, 10.2%, and 7.0%, respectively. The dental calculus was associated a greater possibility with CHTN [odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval: 1.60 (1.31-1.95)]. However, the associations of dental calculus with ISHTN and IDHTN were null [OR: 1.05 (0.81-1.27) and 1.12 (0.86-1.46), respectively]. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that among young adults, poor oral health manifested by presence of dental calculus was associated with a greater possibility of CHTN, while not for ISHTN and IDHTN.

The prevalence of gingivitis and related risk factors in schoolchildren aged 6-12 years old.

BACKGROUND: According to epidemiological studies, gingivitis is a common disease. However, its morbidity, considerably varies among individual. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of gingivitis, including prevalence, severity, intraoral distribution, and associated risk factors, in children aged 6-12 years in Jinzhou, China. METHODS: A multistage, whole-group, randomized sample of 2880 children aged 6-12 years in Jinzhou City, China, was selected and clinically examined. Each selected child completed a questionnaire on sociodemographic factors and oral health behaviors in cooperation with the investigator and teacher. Gingival bleeding refers to the bleeding of 10% or more teeth under the condition of ingivitis. Gingivitis was further categorized into localized gingivitis (30% ≥ number of teeth positive for gingival bleeding ≥ 10%) and generalized gingivitis (number of positive for gingival bleeding > 30%). The score of gingival bleeding was recorded using the Gingival Index. RESULTS: The prevalence of gingivitis in children aged 6-12 years in Jinzhou was 28.58%, including 701 cases of localized gingivitis (24.3%) and 122 cases of generalized gingivitis (4.2%). There were 429 cases (28.3%) of gingivitis in males and 394 cases (28.9%) in females, with no statistically significant difference in prevalence between males and females (P > 0.05). Chi-square tests and binary logistic regression analysis showed that aging, dental calculus, plaque, and dental crowding were significantly associated with a high prevalence of gingivitis. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that dental calculus, large amount dental plaque, poor oral health behavior, and oral health awareness are associated with the prevalence of gingivitis and maintaining children's oral health requires professional guidance and regular preventive care.

Dental Calculi of Siberian Natives, Russian Settlers, and Korean People of Joseon Dynasty Period in the 16th to 19th Century Eurasia Continent.

Objective: The prevalence of calculus is known to be variable by difference in diets or subsistence strategy between human populations. However, this situation has not been confirmed so far for hunter-gatherers and farming people in terms of history. In this study, we tried to reveal the association of diets or subsistence with calculus in different historical populations: Siberian natives, Joseon period Korean people, and Russian settlers in Siberia. Design: We examined the teeth of Siberian natives (hunter-gatherers), Russian (wheat farming) settlers, and Joseon (rice farming) people in sixteenth to nineteenth century. Age and sex were estimated using the methods of Buikstra and Ubelaker (1994). We examined specimens to detect signs of calculus formation in teeth. Calculus rates in each group were statistically compared, and the proportions of calculus by age or sex were also compared across each group. We used package R for statistical analysis. Results and Discussion. The prevalence of calculus deposition decreased in the order of Joseon people, Russian settlers, and Siberian natives. Our study proposes that the rate of calculi among farming people was evidently higher than that of hunter-gatherers in sixteenth to nineteenth century Eurasia. In all three groups, calculus prevalence became higher as age increases and was noteworthy in males. Conclusion: Current study demonstrated a significant difference of calculus formation between those groups with different diets or subsistence strategies. Higher prevalence of dental calculus was observed in agriculturalist Joseon Koreans and Russian settlers, but Siberian natives exhibited relatively lower frequency of dental calculus. The results of this study enable us to reconsider the meaning of association between subsistence strategy and calculus in different historical populations.

Three-year survey of oral hygiene conditions of Cambodian public primary school children.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this repeated cross-sectional study was to investigate the prevalence and severity of oral hygiene conditions in Cambodian primary school children. METHODS: Oral examinations were conducted on 2,020 school children (1st-6th grade) at a public primary school in Siem Reap, Cambodia from 2013 to 2015, focusing on plaque adhesion, gingiva, and dental calculus deposition. Data analysis was performed on 1,998 children without any missing data, and the chi-square test was used to compare the variables. RESULTS: The prevalence of dental plaque adhesion in 2013, 2014, and 2015 was 93.6%, 93.7%, and 85.1%, respectively. The prevalence of gingivitis in 2013, 2014, and 2015 was 93.1%, 92.1%, and 88.8%, respectively. The prevalence of dental calculus deposition in 2013, 2014, and 2015 was 55.1%, 19.3%, and 34.7%, respectively. Significant differences were observed in all variables each year (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that oral hygiene conditions were poor in this population.

Related factors of periodontal health among Chinese middle school students, findings from a national cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the related risk factors of periodontal health status among Chinese middle school students. METHODS: This study is a part of the Fourth National Oral Health Epidemiological Survey, which is by far the largest oral epidemiological survey in China, including all provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in mainland China. A multi-stage stratified sampling method was used to select middle school students aged 12-15 from the sampled middle school for investigation. The survey consisted of two parts: oral examination and questionnaire survey. The oral examination included gingival bleeding and calculus. The questionnaire included sociodemographic information, oral health knowledge, attitudes and behaviors. Logistic regression and generalized linear mixed model were used to investigate the risk factors of gingival bleeding and calculus. RESULTS: A total of 118,514 middle-school students has been examined. Less gingival bleeding (OR = 0.746, CI 0.718-0.774) and calculus (OR = 0.550, CI 0.529-0.527) were found in 12-year-old group compared to 15-year-old group. The periodontal health status of males was worse than that of females (gingival bleeding OR = 1.102, CI 1.074-1.132, calculus OR = 1.258, CI 1.223-1.295). Besides age and gender, region, living place, ethnic groups, family structure, parent's education level, oral health knowledge and behavior were also related to gingival bleeding and calculus. CONCLUSIONS: Gingival bleeding and calculus occurred most of 12-15 years old adolescents in China. Several related factors, such as gender, age, ethnicity, father's education level, oral health knowledge and behavior, were found in multi-factorial models. The impact of province should arouse people's attention.

Periodontal Status Among Schoolchildren in the Republic of Moldova: A Cross-Sectional Study Using the Pathfinder Study Design.

OBJECTIVES: To screen a sample of Moldavian schoolchildren to establish their periodontal condition using the Pathfinder study design of the World Health Organization (WHO). METHODS: Two cohorts - 12- and 15-year schoolchildren - were screened in 12 schools around the country: four schools in the capital city; four more schools in two other larger cities (two schools in each city); and four village schools (one school in each village). In addition to demographic data, the periodontal parameters dental plaque, calculus and bleeding on probing (BOP) were collected. Periodontal pocket depth (PPD) was also measured but only in the cohort of 15-year-old schoolchildren. Measurements were recorded for the six Ramfjord index teeth. RESULTS: In total, 720 children were surveyed: 365 (50.7%) were 12 years of age and 355 (49.3%) were 15 years of age; 351 (48.8%) were girls and 369 (51.2%) were boys; 490 (68%) lived in an urban area and 230 (32%) lived in a rural area. Only 4.5% of 15-year-old children presented with a pocket depth of ≥3.5 mm. Children who lived in rural areas had higher plaque scores than children who lived in urban areas (64.8% vs. 54.1%, P = 0.007). In addition, children who lived in urban areas had significantly less calculus (P = 0.047) and shallower PPDs (P = 0.019). Deeper PPD was associated with higher PI and calculus scores. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate-to-deep periodontal pockets were not uncommon in children in the 15-year-old cohort. Periodontal status was worse in children from rural areas than in children from urban areas. It is therefore suggested that an educational programme, together with preventive and interceptive protocols, should be adopted in early adolescence and especially in rural regions.

Gingival bleeding and calculus among 12-year-old Chinese adolescents: a multilevel analysis.

BACKGROUND: Gingivitis is a common oral health problem, and untreated gingivitis can progress to periodontitis. The objectives of this study were to (1) explore associated factors of gingival bleeding and calculus among 12-year-old adolescents; (2) find predictive models for gingivitis management. METHODS: Four thousand five hundred twenty-five subjects aged 12 in Sichuan Province were investigated. The questionnaire and clinical examination were applied in schools, and two-level logistic regression models were constructed to interpret the effect of individual and contextual factors on Chinese adolescents' gingival bleeding and calculus. RESULTS: 46.63% (95%CI: 40.71, 51.60) and 66.94% (95%CI: 56.85, 67.45) of the subjects presented gingival bleeding and calculus, respectively. For the gingival bleeding cases, the model showed the significant associated indicators were hukou (OR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.52-0.72), family size (OR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.19-1.68), parental educational level (father: OR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.45-0.63; mother: OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.59-0.86), tooth-brushing frequency (OR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.26-0.48), dental floss use (OR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.41-0.83), sugar-containing drink consumption (OR = 2.11, 95% CI: 1.80-2.49), and dental visit (OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.19-1.74). It also confirmed that gender (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.13-1.54), hukou (OR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.59-0.82), family size (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.12-1.59), parental educational level (father: OR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.39-0.54; mother: OR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.59-0.82), tooth-brushing frequency (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.42-0.78), dental floss use (OR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.48-0.90) and sugar-containing drink consumption (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.11-1.53) were associated factors for dental calculus. CONCLUSIONS: Gingival bleeding and calculus were common in western Chinese adolescents. Socio-demographic factors including gender, hukou and family factors are strong determinants of gingival health in Chinese adolescents. In addition, health-related lifestyle behaviors such as healthy diet, good hygiene care and more dental visits are good predictors of better gingival status.

Occurrence and predictors of gingivitis and supragingival calculus in a population of Brazilian adults.

The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of gingivitis and calculus and their predictors in a population of adults in Brazil. A representative sample of 758 adults from 35 to 59 years of age from Porto Alegre city was examined. A structured questionnaire was applied. The Gingival Bleeding Index and the presence of calculus were measured at 4 sites/tooth. Multivariable logistic models were fitted to determine the predictors for gingival bleeding at >20% of sites. Overall, 96.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]=95.1-98.0) of individuals had ≥ 1 bleeding site. The mean percentages of sites with gingivitis and calculus were 26.1% and 44.6%, respectively. The odds of gingivitis decreased by ∼45% for individuals ≥40 years old compared to younger adults. Individuals that never performed interproximal cleaning and non-whites had an approximately two times higher chance of gingivitis. Smokers had lower chances of gingivitis than never-smokers (odds ratio=0.40; 95% CI=0.24-0.68). Higher numbers of missing teeth were associated with higher chances of gingivitis. The percentage of calculus was significantly associated with skin color, education, proximal cleaning, smoking exposure, dental visits, and tooth loss. It can be concluded that the occurrence of gingivitis and calculus was high in this Brazilian population, and it was associated with age, skin color, education, self-reported proximal cleaning, smoking, dental care, and tooth loss.

Calculus and survivorship in medieval London: The association between dental disease and a demographic measure of general health.

OBJECTIVES: Dental plaque is associated with a variety of systemic diseases and mortality risks in living populations. However, bioarchaeologists have not fully investigated the mortality risks associated with plaque (or its mineralized form, calculus) in the past. This study examines the relationship between survivorship and calculus in a medieval skeletal sample. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our sample (n = 1,098) from four medieval London cemeteries, c. 1000-1540 CE, includes people who died under attritional (normal) and catastrophic (famine and plague) conditions. The associations between age and the presence of dental calculus on the permanent left first mandibular molar are assessed using binary logistic regression and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. RESULTS: The regression results indicate a significant negative relationship between age and calculus presence for individuals of all ages who died under normal mortality conditions and for adults who died under both normal and catastrophic conditions. Survival analysis reveals decreased survivorship for people of all ages with calculus under normal mortality conditions. Similarly, during conditions of catastrophic mortality, adult males with calculus suffered reduced survivorship compared to males without it, though there was no difference in survivorship between adult females with and without calculus. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that, as in modern populations, calculus accumulation in the inhabitants of medieval London reflects a greater risk of premature death. The evaluation of calculus, a potential measure of underlying frailty, in the context of a demographic measure of general health suggests that it might provide insights into health in past populations.

Occurrence and predictors of gingivitis and supragingival calculus in a population of Brazilian adults

Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of gingivitis and calculus and their predictors in a population of adults in Brazil. A representative sample of 758 adults from 35 to 59 years of age from Porto Alegre city was examined. A structured questionnaire was applied. The Gingival Bleeding Index and the presence of calculus were measured at 4 sites/tooth. Multivariable logistic models were fitted to determine the predictors for gingival bleeding at >20% of sites. Overall, 96.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]=95.1-98.0) of individuals had ≥ 1 bleeding site. The mean percentages of sites with gingivitis and calculus were 26.1% and 44.6%, respectively. The odds of gingivitis decreased by ∼45% for individuals ≥40 years old compared to younger adults. Individuals that never performed interproximal cleaning and non-whites had an approximately two times higher chance of gingivitis. Smokers had lower chances of gingivitis than never-smokers (odds ratio=0.40; 95% CI=0.24-0.68). Higher numbers of missing teeth were associated with higher chances of gingivitis. The percentage of calculus was significantly associated with skin color, education, proximal cleaning, smoking exposure, dental visits, and tooth loss. It can be concluded that the occurrence of gingivitis and calculus was high in this Brazilian population, and it was associated with age, skin color, education, self-reported proximal cleaning, smoking, dental care, and tooth loss.

The Prevalence and Associated Factors of Periodontal Disease among 35 to 44-year-old Chinese Adults in the 4th National Oral Health Survey.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the current periodontal status of 35 to 44-year-olds from the Chinese population and to analyse potential influence factors on periodontal disease. METHODS: The data of subjects were collected from both urban and rural areas of all 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities of the mainland of China, as part of the 4th National Oral Health Survey. All subjects were aged 35 to 44 years old. In total, 4,410 subjects were enrolled in the present study. Each subject was asked to undergo a professional oral examination and to fill in a questionnaire. Periodontal health status was evaluated by probe bleeding, calculus, periodontal pocket depth and clinical attachment loss. The data were analysed using the chi-square test and binary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of probe bleeding and calculus was 87.4% and 96.7% respectively among the 35 to 44-year-old population. Prevalence of shallow pockets (4 mm ≤ PD < 6 mm) and deep pockets (PD ≥ 6 mm) was 45.8% and 6.9% respectively among 35 to 44-year-old people. In addition, prevalence of clinical attachment loss (CAL > 3 mm) was 33.2%. Gender, educational level, smoking, teeth brushing frequency, dental floss and toothpick use were found relevant to periodontal condition. CONCLUSION: Periodontal disease was highly prevalent among 35 to 44-year-old Chinese adults. Gender, educational level, smoking, teeth brushing frequency, toothpick and dental floss use could be potential influence factors of periodontal health status.

Oral Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Behaviour and Oral Health Status of Chinese Diabetic Patients Aged 55 to 74 Years.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the oral health knowledge, attitude, behaviour and oral health status of Chinese diabetic patients so as to facilitate the development of oral health education programmes for diabetic patients in China. METHOD: A face-to-face questionnaire was conducted for 1,024 diabetic patients and 8,030 non-diabetic people aged 55 to 74 years old in order to understand their oral health knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour. Oral health examination was implemented including caries, gingival bleeding, dental calculus, periodontal attachment loss, etc. according to the Oral Health Surveys Basic Methods 5th Edition. RESULTS: Compared with non-diabetic patients, those with diabetes had more oral health knowledge and more positive attitudes. The proportion of people who formed toothbrushing habits was higher in diabetic patients, but that of regular scaling and flossing is as low as that in non-diabetic people. The detection rate of deep periodontal pockets in diabetic patients was higher than that in non-patients, while the caries situation was better than that in non-patients. CONCLUSION: This study has shown that the oral health knowledge, attitude, behaviour and oral health status of the 55 to 64-year-old diabetic population are not optimistic. There is a great need for a systematic oral health education programme in China. The contradiction between a large number of diabetes patients and limited health resources requires us to give priority to the improvement of oral health behaviours, such as educating patients to develop toothbrushing and flossing habits.

Periodontal Status of Chinese Adolescents: Findings from the 4th National Oral Health Survey.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the periodontal health status and associated factors of adolescents aged 12 to 15 years old in China. METHODS: A cross-sectional national oral health survey was conducted in 2015-2016. The multi-stage stratified cluster sampling was used to select participants in all 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities in the mainland of China. Each participant received a clinical assessment including periodontal bleeding and calculus, and 15-year-old adolescents received additional examinations including for periodontal pocket depth and attachment loss, using the latest criteria from the Oral Health Survey Basic Methods, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). A self-answered structured questionnaire was designed to collect the data of background information and associated risk factors. RESULTS: A total of 118,514 adolescents (14.0 ± 1.09 years old) completed all the oral examinations and the questionnaire. The prevalence of periodontal bleeding and calculus was 61.0% and 67.3% respectively. In the group of 15 year olds, 6.5% adolescents had periodontal pocket and 0.5% had attachment loss. Molars were often involved and, furthermore, calculus also occurred on lower incisors. The periodontal status of adolescents became worse as they grew up. The condition of girls was significantly better than boys. CONCLUSION: This survey illustrated a brief picture of periodontal status of adolescents in China showing that gingival bleeding and calculus were very common and frequent. Further actions on oral health education were necessary, especially for those in lower socio-economic classes.

Oral health status of adult heart transplant recipients in China: A cross-sectional study.

Limited information on the oral health status of adult heart transplant recipients (HTRs) is known, and no available data exist in China. A prerequisite dental evaluation is usually recommended for patients' postorgan transplantation because lifelong immunosuppression may predispose them to infection spread.The aim of this study was to investigate the oral health status of Chinese adult HTRs and determine the association between oral health status and history of heart transplantation (HT).We carried out a cross-sectional study to collect clinical, demographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral data from 81 adult patients who received heart transplantation during 2014 to 2015 in China. Clinical examinations for the presence of dental plaque, dental calculus, dental caries, and periodontal health conditions were performed in a standardized manner by one trained examiner. Sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral data were self-reported using questionnaires. The prevalence of the above conditions was compared with 63 age- and sex-matched controls. General liner regression analysis was used to assess associations between mean number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) and mean community periodontal index of treatment needs (CPITN) scores and history of heart transplant.Mean age of the HT group was 47.7 ±â€Š12.2 years and men accounted for 69.1% of the sample. The overall median DMFT score in the HT group was 3 (1-5) and caries prevalence was 80.2%, which were similar to the control group (P > .05). The overall mean CPITN score of the HT group was 1.84, which was significantly higher than the control group (1.07, P = .001). Participants in the HT group had worse oral hygiene status and more teeth with probing depth ≥ 4 mm than controls (P = .043). Compared with participants who had no history of heart transplantation, HTRs presented worse periodontal health conditions (mean CPITN score, adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.12-1.71, P = .003) and similar dental caries status (DMFT score, adjusted OR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.37-0.91, P = .058).Periodontal health status was positively associated with history of heart transplantation in Chinese adult HTRs.

Prevalence, Severity, and Risk Factors of Gingival Inflammation in Caribbean Adults: A Multi-City, Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence, severity, and associated risk factors of gingival inflammation in a group of adults from Kingston, Jamaica; Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. METHODS: In this representative cross-sectional study, participants completed medical and oral health questionnaires and received an oral clinical examination by trained and calibrated examiners. Clinical assessments included: gingival health (modified Löe-Silness index), visible plaque and presence of calculus. Findings were summarized as mean overall and interproximal gingival indices (GI; IGI), gingival bleeding index (GBI), gingival inflammation prevalence (GI>=0.5) and severity (mild, moderate, severe), mean and interproximal visible plaque indices (VPI; IVPI), and calculus index. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the associations between risk factors and gingival bleeding on probing (BOP) at >= 40% sites;. odds ratios were estimated. RESULTS: All 1,847 participants presented gingival inflammation; most (81.9%) had moderate inflammation. Mean GI, VPI, IVPI, and calculus indices were 1.49, 0.94, 0.96, and 0.66, respectively; most participants presented a VPI >= 30%. BOP >= 40% of sites was significantly associated with education (ORmiddle/technical vs. university education=1.61; p =0.001 and ORnone/basic vs. university= 2.86; p<0.001), calculus index (OR: 10.35), VPI >= 30% (OR: 7.85; p<0.001 for both), and being a resident of Kingston or Santo Domingo (vs. San Juan, OR: 4. 74 and OR: 7.09, respectively), after adjusting for age, gender, smoking, dental visit frequency, diabetes, and hypertension. CONCLUSION: Gingival inflammation was highly prevalent. Most participants presented moderate gingival inflammation. Educational attainment, dental calculus, and VPI >= 30% were strongly associated with gingival inflammation.