Periodontal treatment needs among a group of afghan nationals : a pilot study

Abstract EN

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the periodontal treatment needs in relation to age, gender and level of education among a group of Afghan nationals.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study performed during a three-month period on 210 Afghan nationals who attended the dental clinic of the Jordanian Military Field Hospital in Mazar-el-Sharif city in the North of Afghanistan.

For all individuals, age, gender and level of education were recorded.

Periodontal treatment needs were assessed according to the criteria of the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs.

Results: Only 1.9% of the sample had healthy gingiva according to the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs while 98.1% required periodontal treatment.

Periodontal pockets ?6mm accounted for 13.8% of the findings.

Calculus was the most frequently observed periodontal finding (40.5%).

The periodontal treatment needs were found to increase significantly with age.

No statistically significant differences in periodontal treatment needs were observed in relation to gender and education level.

Conclusion: There is a need for periodontal treatment among the Afghan population surveyed.

Introduction and development of comprehensive periodontal prophylactic programs including therapeutic and preventive measures for the population of Mazar-i-Sharif city and surrounding areas are of paramount importance.