Periodontal condition of pregnant women assessed by CPITN.

The periodontal conditions of 2424 pregnant and 1565 non-pregnant women were assessed according to the community periodontal index of treatment needs (CPITN). The aim of this survey was to obtain information which is necessary for the planning of preventive programs of periodontal disease for pregnant women. 95% of the pregnant women and 96% of the non-pregnant women had some signs of periodontal disease. The % of pregnant women having 4 or 5 mm pockets was significantly higher than that of non-pregnant women, increased with the month of pregnancy, reached a maximum of 31% in the 8-month group, but decreased to the control level in the 9-month group. These changes were interpreted to suggest that the increase of pocket depth during pregnancy was caused by gingival enlargement rather than by periodontal destruction. The results show that pregnant women had a healthier periodontal condition when compared with non-pregnant women, i.e., the number of sextants with healthy periodontal tissues was higher, the % of people having deep pockets (6 mm or deeper) was lower, and the need for prophylaxis was lower in pregnant than in non-pregnant women. These findings suggest that a special program of periodontal disease prevention for pregnant women is not necessary.