Oral hygiene and periodontal condition of 12- and 15-year-old Greek adolescents. Socio-behavioural risk indicators, self- rated oral health and changes in 10 years.

Objective: To investigate oral hygiene and periodontal status of 12- and 15-year-old Greek adolescents in relation to socio- demographic and behavioural indicators and identify national trends.

Methods: In a stratified cluster sample of 2,478 participants, the Simplified Debris Index (DI-S) and the Community Periodontal Index (CPI) were calculated. Socio- demographic/behavioural data were collected through structured questionnaires. Multivariate ordinary regression examined the effect of socio-behavioural indicators on oral hygiene and periodontal conditions.

Results: 51.7% of the 12-year-olds and 56.9% of the 15- year-olds had fair and good oral hygiene, respectively. Approximately 30% of the adolescents had healthy periodontium. Bleeding on probing was detected in 23.6% and 21.6% of the 12- and the 15-year-olds, accordingly. Calculus was found in 46.2% and 44.3% of the 12- and the 15-year-old groups, correspondingly. The prevalence of periodontal pockets ?4mm was 3.2%. Significantly higher DI-S scores were found among 12-year-olds who were males, had lower educated mothers or did not use dental floss and among adolescents who brushed their teeth

Conclusions: Periodontal health promotion strategies should target vulnerable sub- groups of adolescents to reduce future periodontal burden. Self-rated oral health may be useful for identifying unmet periodontal treatment needs.