Repost: CDC includes periodontal disease in annual health report

This article from the Dental Tribune International notes that The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has included for the first time in its annual report statistics on the prevalence of periodontitis among U.S. adults.

According to the report, more than 47 percent of adults aged 30 and over (approximately 65 million adults) had periodontitis during 2009–2010. While an estimated 8.7 percent had mild periodontitis, the prevalence of moderate periodontitis was 30 percent. Severe periodontitis was estimated to occur in 8.5 percent.

A new report has shown that periodontal disease is a
significant public health concern. (Photo: botazsolti/Shutterstock)
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Among other aspects, the survey found that periodontitis was directly associated with lower levels of education and higher levels of poverty, both of which influence the use of dental services by adults. Rates of periodontitis were highest among adults with less than a high school education (66.9 percent). More than 16 percent of adults in poor families had severe periodontitis.

The prevalence of periodontitis was significantly higher in non-Hispanic blacks (58.6 percent) and Mexican-Americans (59.7 percent) compared with non-Hispanic whites (42.6 percent). Among all ethnic groups, the prevalence of periodontitis increased with age (24.4–70.1 percent). The prevalence of periodontitis was significantly higher among men (56.4 percent) than among women (38.4 percent).

The purpose of the report was to discuss and raise awareness of the differences in the characteristics of people with periodontal disease and to prompt action to reduce these disparities, the CDC stated.

Data for the report was obtained from the 2009–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a program of studies designed to assess the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the U.S. The survey examines a nationally representative sample of about 5,000 people each year.

The report, titled "CDC Health Disparities and Inequalities Report — United States, 2013," was published as a supplement to the November issue of CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report and can be accessed on the organization's website.

Oral health practitioners like Dr. Domenick Coletti would agree with CDC that periodontal disease is an important public health issue. Subscribe to this Twitter account to receive regular updates on oral health.