Salud Bucal y Manejo Dental

Abstracto

Assessment of the influence of income levels on periodontal health assessed by the CPITN index of 35-44 year-olds in Iasi, Romania

Alice Murariu, Carmen Hanganu

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the periodontal condition of a group of 35-44 years old patients from the Iasi region of Romania using the CPITN index and to see if there were any correlations with the income level of the patients assessed. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in dental clinics in rural and urban areas of Iasi in 2006-2007 and a sample of 928 people (age 35-44 years old) was examined according to the CPITN index criteria by two calibrated examiners. Their income level was then assessed as high, medium or low. Data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical program package. The Spearman correlation was used to compare the differences in prevalence and the correlation between CPITN scores and income. The study was approved by the Department of the Trust who gave ethical approval. Results: Of the 928 patients 311 (43.5%) were in the highest income level group, 437 (47%) were in the middle income group and 180 (19.5%) were in the lowest income group. Only 84 patients (9.1%) were assessed as CPITN 0. Afurther 201 (21.7%) were assessed as having a CPITN score of 1. The majority (504