Prevalence and severity of periodontal diseases in Saudi Arabian schoolchildren aged 6, 9 and 12 years.

A random sample of 2321 school children aged 6, 9 and 12 years was examined in the Riyadh Central Province for periodontal conditions using the CPITN and the epidemiological methods established by the World Health Organisation. Results indicated that 59 per cent of 6-year-old children had a healthy periodontal state, and 40 per cent had bleeding. Among 9-year-old children 42.9 per cent were healthy, 48.7 per cent had bleeding and 7.8 per cent calculus. The percentage with healthy periodontal conditions fell to 32 per cent in 12-year-old children; 52 per cent had bleeding and 16 per cent had calculus. The differences between sexes were significant at all age groups (6, P less than 0.05; 9, P less than 0.01; 12, P less than 0.001). It is concluded that oral hygiene therapeutic measures (professional and self-care), and dental health education are needed by the school age population.