A baseline study of periodontal conditions among youths and adults in Portugal.

A study was undertaken in 1979 to obtain baseline data of periodontal disease and treatment needs among rural and urban Portuguese. From Montemor-o-Novo, Alentejo and from Lisbon, 255 persons (121 males, 134 females) aged 15-44 yr were selected by a stratified quota sampling method and examined under field conditions using both Russell's Periodontal Index (P.I.), slightly modified, and components of a proposed new WHO method. The latter formed the basis for estimation of treatment need according to the Community Periodontal Index for Treatment Needs (CPITN). Periodontal disease as assessed by the P.I. exhibited epidemiologic characteristics which in several respects were similar to those reported in other populations. Severity increased with increasing age and there were trends towards more severe disease in males than in females, and more severe disease in rural than in urban districts. Relatively few cases of advanced periodontitis were detected by the P.I. as applied in this study. The underestimation of disease prevalence inherent in the scoring method, the high tooth mortality and the fact that only relatively young individuals were studied may have contributed to this finding. Great need for various types of periodontal therapy were found through CPITN assessments. However, relatively few individuals were in need of "complex periodontal therapy" as assessed by the CPITN.