Periodontal Status of Rural Inhabitants in Prek Russey, Cambodia

There is a paucity of information pertaining to oral disease patterns including periodontal disease in Cambodia, which is just emerging from a 20-year ruin. A house-to-house survey was conducted to assess the periodontal status of 1948 subjects aged 15-74 years in a rural commune in Cambodia using Community Periodontal Index (CPI) and measuring Attachment Loss (LA). The periodontal status of Cambodians increased with age as indicated by both CPI and LA. Calculus was the most common finding among Cambodians pointing to overall poor oral hygiene levels. Notwithstanding the poor oral hygiene, however, the severe periodontitis as denoted by ≥ 6mm periodontal pockets was rare even in the elderly while edentulousness was not frequently observed until 65 years. Preventive programmes targeting periodontal disease in Cambodia should focus on oral health education and simple oral hygiene instructions while the ubiquitous calculus could be dealt with oral prophylaxis. Asia Pac J Public Health 2002; 14(2): 105-109.