Validity of CPITN Index Applied by Undergraduate Dental Students

Objective: The goal of the community periodontal index of treatment needs (CPITN) is to determine the periodontal conditions and treatment needs in populations. It can also be used for preliminary diagnostic tool in the dental clinic. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the relation of patients’ narration of oral hygiene measures on the plaque, bleeding and CPITN indices and validity of records performed by undergraduate students. Methods: Data of 405 patients were retrieved in this study. It was composed of patient’s narrations records of oral hygiene measures (type and frequency) plus plaque, bleeding and CPITN indices, and the number of cigarettes per day. Ramfjord’s teeth were used for plaque and bleeding indices, while all teeth in the sextants examined in the CPITN index system. Chisquare test used to determine the relationship between oral hygiene maneuver and dental plaque, bleeding and CPITN sextant scores. Results: Toothbrushing, type, and frequency showed significant relations with dental plaque scores. However, neither smoking nor other oral hygiene measures were shown to be related to bleeding scores. Smoking, toothbrushing techniques and mouthwashes had s