RISK-FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH ABUNDANT DENTAL-CARIES AND PERIODONTAL POCKETING

An adult population of 1275 subjects aged 25, 35, 50, and 65 yr were examined clinically with respect to their periodontal and caries situation. An interview and questionnaire were used to chart the following variables: dietary and oral hygiene habits, social factors, appreciation of natural teeth, and use and availability of dental services. The associations between the risk factors and the probability of periodontal pocketing (greater-than-or-equal-to 4 mm) or abundant dental caries (greater-than-or-equal-to 7 lesions) among the dentate population were examined using a logistic regression model. The final model correctly classified periodontal pocketing in 65% of the cases and abundant caries in 76%. In addition to social variables, behavioral factors were found to be significantly associated with periodontal pocketing and abundant untreated dental caries.