Periodontal conditions in adults, 35-44 years of age: an overview of CPITN data in the Who Global Oral Data Bank.

Results of 28 CPITN surveys in 24 countries for the age group 35-44 years, stored in the WHO Global Oral Data Bank as of 1 July 1986 are assembled in an overview presenting: percentages of persons according to the highest score for each person, the estimated national percentages of edentulousness and the mean numbers of sextants affected per person. It is concluded that for a large majority in most of the populations observed, the progress of periodontal disease has been slow and seems to be compatible with retention of a natural dentition until at least the age of 50.