VALIDITY OF SELF REPORTED PERIODONTAL STATUS IN PATIENTS VISITING A DENTAL HOSPITAL IN CHENNAIA PROSPECTIVE STUDY

Dr.Shruthi Chandrasekaran; Dr.Sheeja S Varghese

Volume : VI, Issue : IX, September - 2017

VALIDITY OF SELF REPORTED PERIODONTAL STATUS IN PATIENTS VISITING A DENTAL HOSPITAL IN CHENNAIA PROSPECTIVE STUDY

Dr. Shruthi Chandrasekaran, Dr. Sheeja S Varghese

Abstract :

AIM: The aim of this study is to assess the extent of agreement between self–reported symptoms and clinically diagnosed periodontal health conditions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population comprised of 350 subjects, who arrived at the outpatient department in Saveetha dental College, Chennai. The study population was subjected to a periodontal status self–assessment questionnaire which comprised questions on bleeding gums, halitosis, mobility of teeth, followed by a ief habitual history and demographic details. Following the questionnaire, a clinical examination was carried out to assess the periodontal status to assess bleeding gums. Periodontal pockets, attachment loss and mobility. Each self reported symptom was subjected to sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value tests.

RESULTS: Most of the responses reported by the study population were found to have more specificity indicating that there was a clear understanding of the absence of a symptom when it was actually absent except for the question on bleeding gums which was found to be more sensitive than specific. This correlates with the statement that bleeding gums can be an early and definitive indicator of an underlying periodontal pathology.

CONCLUSION: Most of the self reported symptoms which are found to be more specific than sensitive hence can be used to �rule out� periodontitis, and on the other the symptom on bleeding gums which has been found to have more sensitivity than specificity can be used to �rule in� periodontitis.