July JADA: Periodontitis remains prevalent in U.S. adults

June 25, 2018 An estimated 42 percent of U.S. adults age 30 years or over with one or more teeth have periodontitis, according to the July issue of The Journal of the American Dental Association.

About 7.8 percent of those adults have severe periodontitis.

The numbers come as part of the issue's cover story, "Periodontitis in U.S. Adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009-2014," in which researchers examined information from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which included data related to a full-mouth periodontal examination.

"This national study demonstrates that periodontitis is a highly prevalent oral disease among U.S. adults," said corresponding author of the study, Paul Eke, Ph.D., a senior health scientist and epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
 
Dental practitioners "should be aware of the high prevalence of periodontitis in U.S. adults and may provide preventive care and counseling for periodontitis. General dentists who encounter patients with periodontitis may refer these patients to see a periodontist for specialty care," said Dr. Eke.

To read the full study, visit JADA.ADA.org.

Other highlights of the July issue of JADA include an examination of opioid prescription patterns among privately insured dental patients in the U.S.; a look at the prevalence and severity of periodontal disease in a cohort of HIV-positive and -negative methamphetamine users; and a study on the use of potassium oxalate mouthrinse to reduce dentinal hypersensitivity.

Each month, JADA articles are published online at JADA.ADA.org in advance of the print publication.