10 DETECTION OF PERIODONTAL

Aims and Objectives: This study was undertaken to identify the bacterial pathogens from dental plaques of mixed dentition. Materials and Methods: The study included 30 children, aged 6 to 12 years and were divided into two groupsGroup A: Patients with normal periodontal health ( n=15), Group B: Patients with gingivitis ( n=15).Subgingival dental plaque samples were collected from buccal and lingual surfaces of premolar and molar teeth. Clinical parameters were recorded. Samples were cultured in routine aerobic and anaerobic medium. Bacterial growth was assessed by semiquantitative methods. Identification of bacterial isolates were confirmed by MALDI-TOF technique. Results : The most putatively pathogenic bacteria P.gingivalis was not detected in any subjects in either of two groups tested. We found that Veillonella spp was significantly high in subgingival plaque samples in gingivitis patients ( 53%) as opposed to nongingivitis patients. Neisseria were more common in nongingivitis patients ( 80%) as compared to gingivitis patients. Conclusions : The detection of periodontal pathogens before puberty may be helpful in identifying which children need more effective oral health programs in orderto minimize the risk of periodontal diseases of