PERIODONTAL HEALTH IN ADOPTED-CHILDREN OF ASIAN ORIGIN LIVING IN SWEDEN

In the present study the periodontal condition of a group of adopted 6 -17-year-old children of Asian origin living in Sweden was compared wi th that of age-and sex-matched Swedish children. Thirty-one Asian chil dren and 31 Swedish children participated. Data on general health for all the children and on age at arrival for the Asian children was coll ected by interview. A clinical examination included recording of prese nce of plaque, supragingival calculus, bleeding on probing, probing de pth, and caries. Radiographs were used to determine marginal bone loss (distance between the cemento-enamel junction and the marginal bone l evel >2 mm), proximal calculus, and proximal caries. In addition, prev iously taken and filed radiographs of the primary dentition of the old er children and current radiographs of the younger children with prima ry teeth were analysed to determine the prevalence of bone loss and ca lculus. The children of Asian origin showed a significantly higher num ber of surfaces with plaque and bleeding on probing. No significant di fferences were noted in the number of individuals with probing depths greater than or equal to 4 mm, supragingival calculus, or radiographic calculus. Three of the Asian and none of the Swedish children display ed radiographic bone loss. The retrospective analysis of all available radiographs from the primary dentition showed that 9 of 29 (31%) Asia n children and 2 of 29 (7%) Swedish children had experienced bone loss in primary teeth.