Periodontal health and the role of the dental hygienist.

This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of hygienist services in an Israeli kibbutz (communal settlement) upon periodontal disease levels and periodontal treatment needs. The Periodontal Index (PI) and the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN) were utilised to examine 412 subjects of which 202 adult participants resided in a kibbutz employing a hygienist and 210 participants resided in one of three kibbutzim lacking a history of hygienist employment. Examinations were conducted by two calibrated examiners. Results revealed a gradual increase in the CPITN and PI scores with age and generally statistically significantly higher periodontal pathology and treatment need scores among the population not employing a dental hygienist (especially within the 35-44 age grouping). The results of this study suggest that employment of a dental hygienist may be an effective approach to lower the burden of periodontal disease within a community.