Correlation between severity of periodontal disease and decayed, missing, and filled teeth scores in adults - A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Dental caries and periodontitis are among the most prevalent oral diseases globally, ranking first and sixth, respectively, in terms of prevalence. Despite sharing common risk factors such as genetic predisposition, lifestyle habits, and socioeconomic influences, these diseases are often considered independent due to differences in microbial etiology. However, research on their potential correlation has yielded conflicting results, warranting further investigation. AIM: The study aimed to assess the severity of periodontal disease using Russell's Periodontal Index (PI) and to evaluate its correlation with decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) scores in adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted over 2 months. A total of 200 adult patients (aged 30-55 years) visiting the outpatient department were included based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. DMFT scores were recorded according to the World Health Organization criteria (1987), and periodontal status was assessed using Russell's PI. Additional covariates such as oral hygiene habits, sugar consumption, family history of gum disease, and prior dental visits were also evaluated. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0, applying Chi-square and analysis of variance tests. RESULTS: A significant positive correlation was found between DMFT scores and periodontal disease severity. Patients with a DMFT score <5 exhibited a healthy periodontium, while those with scores between 5 and 10 had gingivitis, and those with DMFT >10 showed periodontitis. Type A caries (coronal caries) was not significantly associated with periodontitis, whereas type B caries (root caries) demonstrated a strong correlation. Among covariates, education level and age were significantly associated with periodontal health, while gender, sugar consumption, frequency of brushing, and dental visits showed no significant impact. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest a positive correlation between the severity of periodontal disease and DMFT scores, indicating that dental caries and periodontitis may coexist more frequently than previously assumed. However, their distinct microbial environments present challenges in establishing a direct causal relationship. Further longitudinal studies are needed to explore the underlying mechanisms linking these two conditions.