PERIODONTAL HEALTH OF THE POPULATION IN EASTERN GERMANY (FORMER GDR)

The periodontal status of 1688 inhabitants of eastern Germany (former GDR) was investigated between July 1991 and March 1992, using the CPIT N. The results show that only 1.4% of those examined have a healthy pe riodontal apparatus, whereas 40.1% had some signs of severe periodonti tis (CPITN 4). This implies a very high therapy requirement in all age -groups, with 93.1% of 15- to 19-year-olds in need of periodontal trea tment (CPITN 1 + 2 + 3 + 4). A comparison between educational qualific ations and frequency of brushing or routine dental checks reveals a be tter level of prophylaxis in the more educated classes. As expected, t he CPITN code with good oral hygiene and regular dental checks was sig nificantly lower than with poor oral hygiene and infrequent dental che cks. The high prevalence of periodontal disease lends urgency to the d evelopment of an extensive prevention concept introduced in childhood.