Periodontal disease was recognized by Guinness World Records in 2001 as “the most widespread disease in the world and the infectious disease with the highest number of infected people in human history.”
Even in Japan, where public awareness and treatment of periodontal disease are relatively advanced, the condition affects approximately 80% of adults and is referred to as a “national disease.” Its prevalence remains high worldwide, and recognition of periodontal disease as a significant concern continues to grow.
The Need for Diagnosis and Treatment of Periodontal Disease
If left untreated, periodontal disease not only leads to tooth loss but also carries risks of systemic diseases. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and preventive treatment of periodontal disease will become increasingly important worldwide.
The Status of Periodontal Disease in Asia
Multiple studies indicate that the prevalence of periodontal disease in Asia is higher than the global average. In particular, South Asia has the highest prevalence in the region, indicating a notably serious situation.
This comparison uses the Age-Standardized Rate (ASR), which removes the influence of age differences between populations. It compares what the rates would be “if all groups had the same age structure.”
In Asian countries, while nations like Japan and Singapore have high levels of public awareness about oral hygiene and boast private clinics with advanced technical standards for regular checkups and preventive care, many countries still see advanced treatments limited to large urban hospitals, with preventive dentistry and periodontal disease countermeasures not sufficiently widespread.
China has a high prevalence of dental caries and periodontal disease within the Asian region. While oral hygiene awareness is improving in urban areas, it remains low in rural areas, where periodontal disease is widespread among adults.
Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam also have high prevalence rates of periodontal disease. In recent years, some of these countries have implemented policies to promote preventive dentistry.
The treatment of periodontal disease varies across Asian countries.
In Japan and Singapore, procedures such as scaling (tartar removal) and, in severe cases, laser treatment are commonly used. The focus tends to be more on treatment than prevention. Dental clinics that emphasize daily care through proper brushing and flossing and take a preventive approach to periodontal disease are limited.
In China, Indonesia, and Thailand, preventive approaches like scaling and antimicrobial therapy are increasing in urban areas. However, in rural regions, tooth extraction and simple cleaning remain the primary methods for managing periodontal disease.
In other words, while preventive awareness is growing and preventive dentistry is advancing in Japan and Singapore, other Asian countries still maintain a predominantly treatment-focused approach.
However, in Thailand, even with limited health insurance coverage, the necessity of preventive dentistry as a policy is being recognized. Consequently, a preventive mindset toward periodontal disease is expected to spread in the future.