Pilot pathfinder survey of oral hygiene and periodontal conditions in the rural population of The Gambia (West Africa)

Abstract

To document oral hygiene and periodontal conditions in the rural population of The Gambia. Cross-sectional study according to the recommendations of the WHO for oral health surveys. Examination by two calibrated investigators in the health centres of rural communities after a public radio call. Patients were randomly allocated to the investigators. 162 patients (20-54 years old; 52.5% female, 47.5% male). Patients were interviewed for personal information and examined in a full-mouth recording. Oral Hygiene Index (OHI), Gingival Index (GI), Community Periodontal Index (CPI), and the Gingivitis-Periodontitis-Missing/Teeth Index (GPM/T). Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon-rank-sum test and Kruskal-Wallis test with statistical significance at P < 0.05. OHI increased by age from 6.9 to 9.2 (P < 0.05) and showed in tendency higher levels in men (P = 0.07), while the GI remained stable at 1.2. Community Periodontal Index codes increased by age (P < 0.05) and showed a fourfold higher prevalence for severe periodontitis in males (P < 0.05). Likewise, an age-related increase in GPM/T was evident (20.5 versus 25.4), significantly in the number of moderate periodontitis and missing teeth (P < 0.05). In GPM/T, males again demonstrated significantly more teeth affected by periodontitis than women. No statistical associations were found between ethnic groups or for different oral hygiene methods concerning CPI or GPM/T. Prevalence of predominantly mild to moderate periodontal disease indicates treatment needs that should be considered when developing a national oral health care plan in The Gambia (West Africa).