Objective: The primary purpose of this paper is to provide information on the periodontal disease status of Native Americans using a variety of data sources. The impact of periodontal disease on the provision of dental care within the Indian Health Service (IHS) is also discussed.
Methods: Four data sources were used to evaluate the periodontal disease status of Native Americans: IHS periodontal disease monitoring system (1962-78), 1984 IHS Patient Oral Health Survey, 1990 WHO community-based survey (ICS-II), and the 1991 IHS Patient Oral Health Survey.
Results: There appears to be a trend toward a higher prevalence of incipient and overt periodontal disease among Native Americans over time. The prevalence of overt periodontal disease (periodontal pockets > 5.5 mm) is higher among Native American diabetic patients than nondiabetic patients (34% vs 19%).
Conclusions: Due to the variety of indices used by the IHS during the last 20 years, it is difficult to make direct comparisons of the available periodontal disease data. However, it appears that the prevalence of periodontal disease among Native Americans is increasing. Type II diabetes accounts for significant increases in periodontal disease and tooth loss in Native American populations. Certain forms of early onset periodontal disease also may pose significant threats to the oral health of Native Americans.