Predictive values of self-reported periodontal need: National health and nutrition examination survey III

Monica A. Fisher, George W. Taylor, Brent J. Shelton, Sara M. Debanne

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: This study assessed predictive values of self-reported periodontal need to identify periodontal conditions using clinical examinations as the gold standard. Methods: We identified 12,370 adults ≥18 years of age in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Self-reported periodontal need was based on participants responding that gum treatment and/or cleaning was needed when asked: "What type of dental care do you need now?" Two periodontal conditions were at least two sites with pockets (pockets ≥3 mm or pockets ≥4 mm) and at least two sites with calculus. Main outcomes were: 1) positive predictive value (PPVClean): proportion of those who self-reported the need for cleaning who had calculus; and PPVGum: proportion who self-reported the need for gum treatment who had pockets; 2) negative predictive value (NPVClean): proportion of those who self-reported no need for cleaning who did not have calculus; and NPVGum: proportion who self-reported no need for gum treatment who did not have pockets; 3) association between predictive values and sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics; and 4) proportion of individuals with specific sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics whose self-reported periodontal need predicted periodontal conditions. Results: The prevalence of periodontal conditions influenced predictive values. Calculus prevalence = 85%: corresponding PPVClean= 88% and NPVClean = 16%. Prevalence of pockets ≥3 mm = 47%: corresponding PPVGum = 62% and NPVGum = 54%. Prevalence of pockets ≥4 mm = 11%: corresponding PPVGum = 25% and NPVGum = 90%. Ninety percent of 30- to 44-year-old minority female smokers who did not visit the dentist in the past year and reported the need for gum treatment had pockets ≥3 mm (PPVGum = 90%). Conclusions: Self-reported periodontal need (cleaning/gum treatment) predicted the presence of the prevalent conditions (calculus/pockets ≥3 mm). Not reporting a need for periodontal treatment predicted the absence of the less common condition (pockets ≥.4 mm) but not the more prevalent condition (calculus).

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1551-1560
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Periodontology
Volume78
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2007

Keywords

  • Dental calculus
  • Dental prophylaxis
  • Epidemiology
  • NHANES
  • Oral health
  • Predictive value of tests

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Periodontics

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