Results of a 20-year oral hygiene and prevention programme on caries and periodontal disease in children attended at a private periodontal practice

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term effect of an oral hygiene and prevention programme on caries and periodontal disease in a group of children attended at a private periodontal practice. Methods: A total of 50 systemically healthy children, 25 males and 25 females, 03-13 years old, were invited to join a long-term plaque control programme. All children had no caries and had no evidence of clinical bone loss. The participants were selected amongst children whose parents (mother, father or both) were treated of gingivitis, aggressive periodontitis or chronic periodontitis in a private periodontal practice. Subjects were separated in groups according to their parents' periodontal diagnosis, i.e., gingivitis, aggressive periodontitis or chronic periodontitis. The following outcomes were evaluated: a) probing depth, b) plaque (PI) and gingival (GI) indexes. The plaque control programme applied consisted of a regular maintenance regime at 6-to 12-month interval with an experienced periodontist. Results: In total 30 subjects fulfilled the 20-year period of maintenance. The mean recall frequency was 6.4 (+/- 3.1) months, and the mean PI and GI were 0.4 (+/- 0.3) and 0.3 (+/- 0.3) respectively. The average rate of caries lesions was 1.0 (+/- 1.4). None of the patients exhibited clinical or radiographic evidences of alveolar bone loss, and no tooth was lost by caries. In addition, there were no statistically significant differences between groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Adequate oral hygiene measures and periodic professional plaque control led to low levels of dental plaque, gingivitis and caries lesions.