Epidemiology of perio diseases Flashcards
What is descriptive epidemiology?
Description of the distribution of the disease in different populations
What is etiologic epidemiology?
Consider the aetiology of a disease from the combination of the descriptive epidemiological data along with other information e.g. genetics, microbiology, sociology etc
What type of epidemiology is this?:
“evaluate the consistency of epidemiologic data with hypotheses developed clinically or experimentally”
Analytical epidemiology
What is experimental epidemiology?
Provides a basis for developing and evaluating preventative programmes and public health practices
Why should we study epidemiology?
- impact of disease
- any aetiological factors
- treatment needs
- effects of treatment
Why is the epidemiology of periodontal disease complicated?
The disease has a gradual onset,
It varies in severity.
No universally agreed standards for defining various stages of disease
What does ‘incidence’ mean in terms of epidemiology?
The number of new cases per year
What does the term ‘prevalence’ mean in terms of epidemiology?
The total number of cases
Why is it difficult to know what to measure when studying periodontal epidemiology?
Because:
… there are no set, defined parameters which should be measured
… Results varying in international and national studies
So analysis of data is more difficult
What would the issues be when thinking about how to measure periodontal epidemiology?
It wouldn’t be practical to use the ideal full assessment in order to acquire a large data set. This is also particularly difficult in a community setting.
Alternatives are used - such as partial recording, cross sections etc
If you were assessing the severity of periodontal disease, what would you be assessing?
The amount of attachment loss in a tooth
If you were assessing the extent of perio disease - what would you be looking at?
The number of teeth affected
How often is dental disease measured in the UK?
Who measures this?
Every 10 years
The Department of Health
Why may the ADH (adult dental health survey) probably significantly underestimate the amount of disease?
Partial mouth recording
Not completed in the dental clinic
Did visible plaque and calculus increase or decrease between 1998 and 2009?
Decreased by 33%
Gingivitis affects what percentage of the adult population?
60% - it is highly prevalent
What is gingivitis associated with?
Levels of plaque
What is the percentage of mild-moderate periodontitis in adults?
What is the percentage for severe periodontitis?
20-35%
10-15%
Which factors need to be considered when assessing patients progression of disease? (3)
- Site specificity:
- Periodontal phenotype
- Any local factors (e.g. overhang, mouth breather) - Susceptibility:
- Is there a family history of perio? - Risk:
- Do they have any established modifiable risk factors (e.g. smoking, poor diabetic control)
Outline the features of high risk perio groups (4)
- Severe perio disease at early age
- Severe perio disease with good plaque control
- Risk of tooth loss by age of 40
- Irregular bone loss
Outline the features of normal risk perio groups (4)
- Slowly progressing perio disease
- Associated with poor plaque control
- Risk of some tooth loss with advancing age
- Horizontal bone loss
Outline the features of low risk perio groups (3)
- Little or no bone loss
- Perio inflammation without pocketing
- Keep teeth until old age.
