Epidemiology of periodontal disease in poodles.

The periodontal condition of 123 poodles was assessed using the parameters of depth of gum pocket, attachment level, bleeding on probing, and plaque and calculus accumulation. No dogs were free of periodontal disease. The number of deep pockets and dramatic loss of attachment ranged from 0.1 teeth in young dogs to 4.2 teeth in old animals. A sixfold increase in deep pocketing took place in dogs between the ages of six and seven, followed by a twofold increase in the number of teeth missing in dogs within the 10 to 11 year age group. First premolars, incisors and second molars were at highest risk. No correlation between dietary conditions and disease incidence could be detected. It is concluded that, by concentrating their diagnostic efforts on those age groups and types of teeth at highest risk, clinicians could improve the effectiveness of their treatment interventions.