The periodontal status and treatment needs of dentists.

The periodontal status and treatment needs were assessed in 575 dentists between 20-64 years in some places of India. The Community periodontal Index of Treatment Needs was used. The influence of age, sex, educational qualifications and diet on periodontal treatment needs were analysed. The time that would be required to cater to the treatment requirement of the dentists examined was also calculated. Periodontal diseases was found to be highly prevalent (99.6%) but mostly of low to moderate periodontitis. The prevalence and severity and treatment needs increased with age. Among those who needed treatment 99.6% required Oral hygiene instructions and motivation, 70.6% required scaling and 1.7% required complex periodontal treatment. Periodontal treatment needs was less in females than males. Higher educational qualifications showed increased periodontal treatment needs. Diet did not have any significant influence on the periodontal treatment needs. The treatment time calculated was 821 hours of dental hygienists work and only 10 hours of specialists work. On the basis of this study, it can be said that if dentists do not believe in prevention themselves, they will lack the conviction and the enthusiasm necessary to support the development of a preventive programme so necessary in India where the magnitude of the periodontal problem is enormous and hence they will not be able to achieve the targets laid down by the IDA Workshop on "Oral Health for all by the year 2000 AD."