Oral hygiene and periodontal condition of 12- and 15-year-old Greek adolescents. Socio-behavioural risk indicators, self-rated oral health and changes in 10 years

Aim To investigate oral hygiene and periodontal status of 12- and 15-year-old Greek adolescents in relation to socio-demographic and behavioural indicators and identify national trends. Materials and methods In a stratified cluster sample of 2,478 participants, the Simplified Debris Index (DI-S) and the Community Periodontal Index (CPI) were calculated. Socio-demographic/behavioural data were collected through structured questionnaires. Multivariate ordinary regression examined the effect of socio-behavioural indicators on oral hygiene and periodontal conditions. Results 51.7% of the 12-year-olds and 56.9% of the 15-year-olds had fair and good oral hygiene, respectively. Approximately 30% of the adolescents had healthy periodontium. Bleeding on probing was detected in 23.6% and 21.6% of the 12- and the 15-year-olds, accordingly. Calculus was found in 46.2% and 44.3% of the 12- and the 15-year-old groups, correspondingly. The prevalence of periodontal pockets ≥4mm was 3.2%. Significantly higher DI-S scores were found among 12-year-olds who were males, had lower educated mothers or did not use dental floss and among adolescents who brushed their teeth <twice/day. Inferior periodontal status was found among 15-year-olds who were males, 12-year-olds with lower educated mothers, who did not brush or brushed infrequently, and among subjects who did not floss. Poor self-rated oral health was significantly related to adverse oral hygiene and periodontal health outcomes. Oral hygiene and periodontal status of Greek adolescents improved moderately in ten years. Conclusions Periodontal health promotion strategies should target vulnerable sub-groups of adolescents to reduce future periodontal burden. Self-rated oral health may be useful for identifying unmet periodontal treatment needs.