Periodontal condition and treatment needs (CPITN) in the Bulgarian population aged over 60 years

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the periodontal condition and treatment needs of elderly people in Bulgaria. Subjects: 653 subjects over 60 years of age (263 males and 390 females). Method: The study was carried out in 1999 using WHO recommended survey techniques. The analysis included only the results of the subjects eligible for assessment using CPITN, 497 subjects (206 males and 291 females). Results: More than 88% of the subjects were affected by periodontal disease of various severity. The percentage of subjects with pathological pockets (CPITN 3, 4) increased with age. Conclusions: In comparison to the large needs of periodontal therapy in general, the complex treatment needs (TN 3) were relatively small. The major volume of needs related to periodontal care lie within the competence of the general dental practitioner to treat.