An update on periodontal conditions in adults, measured by CPITN.

At the Global Oral Data Bank of the WHO, the results of CPITN surveys from many countries are received, analysed and stored. An overview of CPITN data for adults in the key age group 35-44 years of age is presented. Tentative conclusions are that the periodontal conditions for which specific interventions (oral hygiene instruction--scaling--etc.) might be considered are of notable magnitude in adult populations. However, for the large majority, in most of the populations observed, the progress of periodontal diseases has been slow and seems to be compatible with the retention of the natural dentition until at least the age of fifty, i.e. a few years beyond the upper age limit of the group from which the data were derived. Compared with previous perceptions this conclusion permits a much more optimistic outlook for periodontal health and for the retention of a functioning dentition for life.