PERIODONTAL ATTACHMENT LOSS AMONG ADULTS AGED 60-AUSTRALIA( IN SOUTH)

This study aimed to provide oral epidemiological data describing perio dontal destruction among older adults in South Australia. A cross-sect ional survey design was employed and periodontal assessments were made among 801 persons aged 60+ drawn at random from the non-institutional ized population. Measurements of pocket depth (PD) and gingival recess ion (GR) were made at three sites on all teeth and used to compute los s of attachment (LOA). An average of 17 teeth per person were measured . LOA of 4+mm at one or more sites was observed among 89.1% of persons . A mean of 78.1% of sites per person had LOA of 2+mm (extent) and the mean LOA at sites with LOA of 2+mm was 3.09 mm (severity). Extent and severity were greater for males and for persons aged 80+ yr. Extent w as virtually identical for mesio-buccal and disto-lingual sites, while severity was virtually identical for mid-buccal and disto-lingual sit es. Patterns of GR and PD varied according to the jaw and type of toot h. Maxillary first and second molars had the greatest mean LOA, and th e majority of LOA in the maxilla was due to PD. In the mandible there was less variation in LOA among anterior and posterior teeth, and LOA tended to be more equally divided between GR and PD. Levels of periodo ntal destruction of South Australia were broadly similar to results fr om North American studies of older adults which have used full-mouth p eriodontal assessments.