Periodontitis in US Adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009-2014.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional national epidemiological survey
PubMed 29957185 · doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2018.04.023
What was done
Researchers analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning 2009 to 2014 to calculate weighted average estimates of periodontitis prevalence among civilian, noninstitutionalized US adults aged 30 years and older. Periodontal status was evaluated using full-mouth examinations across six sites per tooth (excluding third molars) according to CDC/AAP case definitions and clinical thresholds for clinical attachment loss and probing depth.
What was found
An estimated 42% of dentate US adults aged 30 or older had periodontitis, with 7.8% classified as having severe periodontitis. Overall, 3.3% of probed sites (9.1% of teeth) had a periodontal probing depth of 4 mm or greater, and 19.0% of sites (37.1% of teeth) had clinical attachment loss of 3 mm or greater. Severe periodontitis was most prevalent among adults aged 65 years or older, Mexican Americans, non-Hispanic Black individuals, and smokers.
Why it matters
This study establishes nationally representative epidemiological benchmark data showing that periodontitis affects over four in ten US adults, underscoring substantial oral health burdens in high-risk demographic groups.
Limits
The abstract does not report the total sample size. Findings apply only to dentate, noninstitutionalized adults aged 30 and older, excluding younger adults, edentulous individuals, and institutionalized populations. As a cross-sectional surveillance study, it describes prevalence without capturing longitudinal disease trajectories.
Cited by
- context Studies show that 97% of adults age 65 and older have periodontal disease or have already lost teeth due to periodontal disease.