Association between Periodontal Disease and Dental Caries: An Observational Study

Introduction: Periodontal disease and dental caries are the two most common oral diseases in human. Numerous studies have been carried out in the past to determine the association between occurrence of dental caries and periodontal disease. Evidence on the simultaneous occurrence of these diseases is conflicting. The aim of the study was to evaluate the simultaneous occurrence of periodontal disease and dental caries in Bangalore population. Methodology: An observational, cross sectional study was conducted among 1001 subjects aged 30 to 50 years for one year. Clinical attachment loss (CAL), DMFT (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth) and Silness-Loe index were recorded. Results: There was no statistically significant difference among males and females with respect to CAL, plaque index, and DMFT score. There was a positive correlation between plaque index and CAL, r value = 0.575 and a weak negative correlation between DMFT and CAL, r value = -0.063. A weak negative correlation between DMFT and plaque index, r value = -0.120 was observed in the study. Conclusion: These data indicate that periodontal disease and dental caries do not tend to accumulate in the same subjects. There is a negative association between dental caries and periodontitis.