Predictive values of self-reported periodontal need: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

This study assessed predictive values of self-reported periodontal need to identify periodontal conditions using clinical examinations as the gold standard.

METHODS:

We identified 12,370 adults > or = 18 years of age in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Self-reported periodontal need was based on participants responding that gum treatment and/or cleaning was needed when asked: "What type of dental care do you need now?" Two periodontal conditions were at least two sites with pockets (pockets > or = 3 mm or pockets > or = 4 mm) and at least two sites with calculus. Main outcomes were: 1) positive predictive value (PPV(Clean)): proportion of those who self-reported the need for cleaning who had calculus; and PPV(Gum): proportion who self-reported the need for gum treatment who had pockets; 2) negative predictive value (NPV(Clean)): proportion of those who self-reported no need for cleaning who did not have calculus; and NPV(Gum): proportion who self-reported no need for gum treatment who did not have pockets; 3) association between predictive values and sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics; and 4) proportion of individuals with specific sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics whose self-reported periodontal need predicted periodontal conditions.

RESULTS:

The prevalence of periodontal conditions influenced predictive values. Calculus prevalence = 85%: corresponding PPV(Clean) = 88% and NPV(Clean) = 16%. Prevalence of pockets > or = 3 mm = 47%: corresponding PPV(Gum) = 62% and NPV(Gum) = 54%. Prevalence of pockets > or = 4 mm = 11%: corresponding PPV(Gum) = 25% and NPV(Gum) = 90%. Ninety percent of 30- to 44-year-old minority female smokers who did not visit the dentist in the past year and reported the need for gum treatment had pockets > or = 3 mm (PPV(Gum) = 90%).

CONCLUSIONS:

Self-reported periodontal need (cleaning/gum treatment) predicted the presence of the prevalent conditions (calculus/pockets > or = 3 mm). Not reporting a need for periodontal treatment predicted the absence of the less common condition (pockets > or = 4 mm) but not the more prevalent condition (calculus).

• Authors: Monica A Fisher, George W Taylor, Brent J Shelton, Sara M Debanne
• Journal: Journal of periodontology (J Periodontol) Vol. 78 Issue 8 Pg. 1551-60 (Aug 2007) ISSN: 0022-3492 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17668975 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Age Factors
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Dental Calculus (epidemiology)
• Dental Prophylaxis (statistics & numerical data)
• Educational Status
• Female
• Forecasting
• Health Services Needs and Demand (statistics & numerical data)
• Health Surveys
• Humans
• Income
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Minority Groups (statistics & numerical data)
• Periodontal Diseases (epidemiology)
• Periodontal Pocket (epidemiology)
• Predictive Value of Tests
• Prevalence
• Sex Factors
• Smoking (epidemiology)
• United States (epidemiology)
• White People (statistics & numerical data)