[The prevalence of acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis in Swiss military collectives].

A group of 1595 military trainees (age range 18 to 30) were screened for the appearance of acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis. In a second phase four military dentists examined over 2800 newly entered trainees. Criteria for the diagnosis of ANUG were (1) Ulceration and necrosis of the interdental papilla, (2) bleeding and (3) pain. Among the 1595 recruits no ANUG could be detected, and no case of ANUG was reported by the four military-dentists. Thus, the prevalence of acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis was calculated to be below 0.03%.