National oral health survey Zimbabwe 1995: periodontal conditions.

Ten years after completion of the first national oral health survey, a second national oral health survey was carried out in 1995. Application of a multi-stage sampling procedure resulted in 3,709 persons being examined. WHO's oral health assessment form and CPITN index was used. The background variables studied were age (15-19, and 35-44-year olds), gender, type of location, socio-economic status and level of education. Results suggest that the periodontal health of adolescents was better in 1985 than in 1995. Overall, the prevalence of periodontal conditions in both age groups was high but its severity was low. The need for complex periodontal treatment was only 4 per cent for adults. The survey has shown that the vast majority of Zimbabweans are not receiving and/or are not seeking periodontal care.