| Popis: |
This chapter discusses key problems encountered by anyone who attempts to synthesize findings from epidemiological studies of periodontal diseases. These problems include the absence of a common understanding of disease, varying or unspecific disease definitions, different recordings used to assess disease, lack of consistency in the recording protocols, and the variable reporting of the results of studies. In addition, we address the biases introduced by differences in the levels of gingival inflammation and in the degree of tooth retention when attempting to compare measures of periodontitis across populations. We briefly review epidemiological findings regarding gingivitis and periodontitis according to key sociodemographic and behavioural factors, based on reviews published within the past two decades. As these reviews also show, caution should be exercised when attempting to synthesize the information provided in epidemiological studies of periodontal diseases. |
