Newsletter
ATLANTA, USA: Periodontal disease is a major public health concern across all populations worldwide. In the U.S. alone, it affects almost half of the adult population. A new study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has now indicated that the condition is most prevalent and severe in ethnic minorities in the U.S.
According to the study, overall, 46 percent of U.S. adults aged 30 and over representing 64.7 million people had periodontitis in the 2009–2012 period, with 8.9 percent having severe periodontitis. Disease prevalence was found to increase with age and was generally higher in men than in women.
With regard to ethnicity, the researchers found that periodontitis prevalence was highest in Hispanics (63.5 percent) and non-Hispanic blacks (59.1 percent), followed by non-Hispanic Asian-Americans (50 percent), and lowest in non-Hispanic whites (40.8 percent).
CDC epidemiologist and lead author Dr. Paul Eke said, "The findings verify a high burden of periodontitis in the U.S. adult population. Public health programs that aim to prevent and control periodontitis are needed to improve the overall health of our adult population." The information regarding ethnic distribution of the disease could thus be valuable for population-based action to prevent or manage periodontitis in the country.
"These findings support the need for adults aged 30 and over to receive an annual periodontal evaluation from their dental professional to identify and treat periodontal disease as needed," Eke concluded.
For the study, CDC researchers combined data from the 2009–2010 and 2011–2012 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, an ongoing program of studies designed to assess the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the U.S.
The study, titled "Update on Prevalence of Periodontitis in Adults in the United States: NHANES 2009–2012," was published online in Feb. 17 in the Journal of Periodontology ahead of print.
