Assessment of periodontal status by CPITN and its applicability to the development of long-term goals on periodontal health of the population.

CPITN data from 40 countries have been used to assess periodontal status at ages 12, 15 and 35-44 years. There are broad differences in the numbers of healthy sextants between developing countries and those which are highly industrialized. At 12 years this component of the Index could provide the basis of a global indicator of periodontal health--not less than 3 healthy sextants per child by the year 2000. At 15 years zero sextants with periodontal pockets is a feasible aim. It is less easy to set goals for periodontal health in adults.