Periodontal Diseases in Greek Senior Citizens-Risk Indicators

Abstract

Periodontal diseases are among the most common chronic diseases affecting people of all ages worldwide. However, their severe forms are more pronounced in older individuals primarily due to prolonged exposure to risk factors. One of the major risk factors of periodontal diseases is considered to be poor oral hygiene since the accumulation of dental plaque biofilms on clean tooth surfaces results in the development of an inflammatory process encompassing local gingival and periodontal tissues around teeth (Albandar, 2002). If the microbial film is not removed the local inflammation will persist and chronic gingivitis will be developed. Hence, dental plaque is considered today the primary etiologic factor of chronic gingivitis, while chronic periodontitis is now seen as resulting from a complex interplay of bacterial infection and host response, often modified by local factors within the mouth, systemic factors related to the host, and external (environmental) factors (Albandar, 2002). For example, current preventive oral health practices, such as frequent tooth brushing and flossing as well as regular dental attendance, were found to be significantly associated with lower plaque, gingivitis and calculus scores (Lang et al., 1995). In addition, through these associations, the aforementioned preventive behaviors appeared to be indirectly related to shallower pocket depths and less attachment loss (Lang et al., 1995). Furthermore, sociodemographic variables like area of residence, gender, education and income are considered as risk indicators for periodontal diseases (Albandar, 2002; Locker & Leake 1992; MamaiHomata et al., 2010) Some of these, as well as other variables that have been associated with periodontal status may change overtime and therefore the prevalence and severity of periodontal diseases in a population may also change. Therefore, periodic surveys of the periodontal health status of the population and redetermination of the variables that may affect the initiation and/or progression of periodontal diseases are needed. In Greece, a national oral health pathfinder survey was organized in 1985 by the dental department of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Social Security in cooperation with the Regional Office for Europe of the World Health Organization. The purpose of that survey was to evaluate the oral health status and treatment needs of the population aged 7, 12 and 35-44 years-old and formulate measures for the prevention of dental caries and the elimination of periodontal diseases.