A socio‐ecologic model for periodontal diseases

A socio-ecologic conceptual model for periodontal diseases has been proposed. The model, which includes 4 items: health-care organization, human biology, behavioral factors, and environment, has been tested on a random-sample of 50-year-old Oslo citizens. The investigation is based on a clinical examination as well as a questionnaire and structured interview. A logistic regression model was used to study associations between risk factors and the probability of deep periodontal pockets (> 5.5 mm). The risk of periodontal pockets was positively associated with: short duration of education, being of male gender, previous periodontal treatment, poor oral hygiene and infrequent toothbrushing. Variables describing behavioral factors and human biology were the items found to be most closely associated with periodontal pocketing.