Journal Article

DKFZ-2026-02306

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Regional Disparities in the Prevalence of Probing Depths and Tooth Loss in Germany-Results From the German National Cohort (NAKO).

Gortschakow, J. ; Borof, K. ; Sasunna, D. ; Kuhr, K. ; Aarabi, G. ; Baumeister, S.-E. ; Ciardo, A. ; Greiser, K.-H.DKFZ* ; Hagenfeld, D. ; Hertrampf, K. ; Kim, T.-S. ; Kühnisch, J. ; Pischon, T. ; Reckelkamm, S. L. ; Samietz, S. ; Wojciechowsky, M. ; Alselwi, A. ; Kemmling, Y. ; Krist, L. ; Leitzmann, M. ; Meinke-Franze, C. ; Mikolajczyk, R. ; Obi, N. ; Pickford, R. ; Pischon, N. ; Rathmann, W. ; Schulze, M. B. ; Schipf, S. ; Schmidt, B. ; Willich, S. N. ; Rach, S. ; Jordan, A. R. ; Völzke, H. ; Kocher, T. ; Kanzow, P. ; Welk, A. ; Rupf, S. ; Holtfreter, B.

2026
Wiley-Blackwell Oxford [u.a.]

Abstract: To evaluate regional disparities in the prevalence, severity and extent of probing depths (PDs) as well as tooth loss in German adults aged 19-74, using data from the baseline study of the German National Cohort (NAKO; 2014-2019).Dental examinations were recorded at two levels: Level 1 (18/18 centres; N = 184,871; tooth counts including third molars and dental interview) and Level 2 (8/18 centres, not geographically representative; N = 18,389; recording of PDs). We evaluated differences by sex, age and study region. All data were survey-weighted. For individuals aged 65-74, we supplemented tooth loss data from the Fifth German Oral Health Study and the Study of Health in Pomerania.Among Level 1 participants, the prevalence of edentulism was 1.7% (95% confidence interval: 1.6-1.9). The average mean PD was 1.89 mm (1.87-1.91). Both edentulism and PDs increased with increasing age. There were clear regional disparities, with the lowest prevalence of both in Augsburg/Regensburg in the south (1.3% and 1.64 mm) and the highest in Neubrandenburg in the north-east (2.3% and 2.31 mm).Clear regional disparities emerged. In light of demographic changes, these results highlight the importance of incorporating region-specific oral health burdens into future healthcare planning and treatment concepts.

Keyword(s): Cohort study ; German national cohort ; NAKO ; edentulism ; periodontitis ; prevalence ; regional disparities

Note: epub

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Krebsepidemiologie (C180)

Research Program(s):

1. 313 - Krebsrisikofaktoren und Prävention (POF4-313) (POF4-313)

Appears in the scientific report 2026

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Database coverage:
; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Clinical Medicine ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; DEAL Wiley ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF >= 5 ; JCR ; Nationallizenz ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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