PS2-51: Comparison of Two Different Methods of Classifying Periodontal Disease Severity

Abstract

Abstract Background/Aims Accurately determining the severity of periodontal disease has historically been a challenge in the dental practice. The object of this pilot effort was to compare two different methods of classifying periodontal disease severity based on provider-documented data among a random sample of dental patients at Marshfield Clinic. The Marshfield Clinic’s electronic dental record provides an opportunity to collect specific data points for each tooth and its different surfaces as part of the periodontal charting conducted by the dental hygienist. The dental hygienists also classify the overall periodontal condition based on the American Dental Association (ADA) classification of gum diseases. Methods A random sample of 50 dental patients with at least one comprehensive periodontal screening was used to conduct this retrospective study. Using the Marshfield Clinic’s electronic dental record, the study compared how the dental hygienist coded the periodontal condition based on ADA classification with that of a computer-based algorithm that was developed to classify periodontal condition based on criteria as described by the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We then mapped the periodontal disease severity classifications from both methods to investigate how many of the sample of 50 patients were similar. Results Out of the 99,255 dental patients in our data warehouse, 67,487 (68%) have had a visit in our medical system at least once in the last 3 years. Periodontal measures have been done on 44% (29,573/67,487) of these patients that have medical and dental data available. When comparing the hygienists’ classification of periodontal disease severity (using ADA guidelines) to an electronic algorithm using clinical attachment and probing depth to classify periodontal disease, there was a 72% (36/50) agreement. Conclusions Although one limitation of this pilot study is that the purpose of ADA classification of periodontal condition (meant for clinical classification) differs from that of the joint CDC/AAP classification (meant for population-based surveillance), the results encourage utilizing measurable data points from the periodontal chart to help providers make accurate diagnosis of the periodontal condition.