[Peridontal conditions in a group of Tibetans].

The possible role of race in periodontal disease has not been thoroughly investigated. As a basis for further discussion regarding this problem, the periodontal status of a group of Tibetans consisting of 38 children and 88 adults was investigated. The parameters evaluated were as follows: in the children the Sulcus Bleeding Index (SBI) and in the adults the modified Periodontal Disease Index (PDI). The results of this study showed that 13 children were free of gingivitis. The PDI was between 3,77 and 4,00 for the 18--19-years old and between 4,72 and 4,90 for the ones over 19 years. Since the PDI values were relative high and the gingival crevice depths were relatively low one can conclude that gingival recession accounts for the major portion of the PDI score.