Background

: Chronic periodontitis is highly prevalent among older adults. The study aimed to compare periodontal disease among Australian older adults in two generations. We hypothesized that the prevalence and severity of periodontitis would decrease from the previous generation to the recent generation.

Methods

: Data were obtained from the South Australian Dental Longitudinal Study (SADLS) in 1991-92 (SADLSI) and 2013-14 (SADLS II); population-based longitudinal surveys of Australian older adults aged 60+ years. American Academy Periodontology (AAP), the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (AAP/CDC), and the 2018 European Federation of Periodontology (EFP/AAP) classification case definitions were used to define and calculate prevalence of chronic periodontitis. Multivariable log-Poisson regression models were used to identify risk indicators for severe periodontitis after adjusting for other covariates.

Results

: There were total of 801 and 355 participants had a periodontal exam in SADLS I and II, respectively. The prevalence of severe periodontitis was higher in the recent generation (88% and 56%) than the previous generation (75% and 46.7%) under the CDC/AAP and EFP/AAP case definitions, respectively. The mean number of missing teeth was lower in the recent generation (6) than the previous generation (13). The prevalence ratio of severe periodontitis was around 2 times higher in the younger age group, males, those not born in Australia and current smokers across both generations.

Conclusion

: Our findings indicated that the recent generation of older adults has higher prevalence and severity of chronic periodontitis than the previous generation. Our findings indicated that ageing, being male, born in overseas, low household income, no dental insurance, and being a current smoker are significant risk factors associated with severe periodontitis among older Australians.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved