Periodontal Health Epidemiology and Community Practices
Summary
Periodontal health remains a major global public health concern, with both gingivitis and periodontitis affecting a large proportion of diverse populations. Epidemiological surveys have documented marked variation in prevalence by age, geography, socioeconomic status and health behaviours. Key risk factors include dental plaque accumulation, tobacco use, suboptimal oral hygiene, systemic conditions such as diabetes, and limited access to preventive dental care. Community-based research emphasises the influence of education, family income and cultural practices on periodontal outcomes. Preventive strategies in community settings range from school-based screening and public awareness campaigns to tailored risk assessment tools and community-oriented prophylaxis programmes. Recent advances in predictive modelling and the integration of socio-behavioural data have refined identification of high-risk groups and informed targeted interventions. A shift towards equitable delivery of preventive services and the promotion of self-care behaviours underlines the critical role of interdisciplinary collaboration between dental professionals, public health practitioners and community stakeholders.
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Periodontal Health Epidemiology and Community Practices publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in periodontal health epidemiology and community practices across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Periodontitis: A chronic inflammatory condition characterised by the destruction of tooth-supporting tissues and alveolar bone loss.
Gingivitis: Inflammation of the gingival margin, manifesting as redness, swelling and bleeding on probing without attachment loss.
Community Periodontal Index (CPI): A WHO-endorsed screening tool that classifies periodontal status by assessing pocket depth, calculus and bleeding.
Nomogram: A graphical calculation tool integrating multiple risk factors to estimate an individual’s probability of developing disease.
Gingival Bleeding on Probing (BOP): A clinical sign denoting inflammation, recorded when gentle probing elicits bleeding, indicative of gingival tissue breakdown.
References
- Associated factors of periodontitis and predicted study among young man in China: a population-based cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health (2024).
- Knowledge, attitudes and practices among patients with periodontal disease toward disease management. Frontiers in Public Health (2024).
- Prevalence of periodontal disease among Vietnamese adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.. Dental and Medical Problems (2023).
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