The prevalence of localized juvenile periodontitis in a female Saudi population

Abstract

Studies of juvenile periodontitis have reported variable prevalences among different populations andsocieties. The aims of this study were to find out the prevalence ans severity of juvenile periodontitisamong a female Saudi population, from their treatment records at King Saud University [KSU], College ofDentistry Malaz Campus, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A three year record of female patients from the division ofPeriodontics, KSU College of Dentistry was, screened. A total number of two thousand and five hundredfiles from Record Section of the College were screened. Four hundred and fifty two subjects were found inthe age range of 14 - 27 years (mean 20,5 years) with different forms of periodontal diseases. Onlyfivesubjects were diagnosed with Localized juvenile periodontitis (LJP) as assessed from panorex radiographs.The prevalence of LJP among the studied population was 1.1. percent. The severity of the periodontitis wasassessed by extend and pattern of alveolar bone loss, position and number of missing teeth. It was foundthat most of the cases had vertical alveolar defects ranging from 5 to 10 mm ; missing teeth were registeredin patients in their mid twenties.It is recommended that general dentists should be trained in early diagnosis and management of cases withjuvenile periodontitis. Further research is needed at the national level to find out the prevalence andseverity of juvenile periodontitis in the general populatio