AIM: To describe the distribution of clinical attachment loss (CAL) and to study risk indicators for chronic periodontitis in a large population-based sample of adolescents and young adults from south Brazil. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study used a subset of data from a larger survey representative of Porto Alegre, Brazil. The sample consisted of 612 individuals (291 males/321 females) aged 14-29 years. Full-mouth, six sites per tooth clinical examinations were performed by calibrated periodontists. Chronic periodontitis was defined as CAL 3mm affecting two or more teeth. Aggressive periodontitis cases were excluded from the analysis. RESULTS: CAL 3 and 5mm affected 50.4% and 17.4% of subjects and 9.7% and 1.1% of teeth, respectively. Prevalence of chronic periodontitis ranged between 18.2% and 72.0% among subjects 14-19 and 24-29 years old, respectively. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, older age [odds ratio (OR)=2.6, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.7-3.9 and OR=7.2, 95% CI=3.7-14.0 for 20-24 and 25-29 years old, respectively], low socioeconomic status (OR=1.9, 95% CI=1.4-2.7), heavy smoking (OR=1.7, 95% CI=1.1-2.7) and larger amounts of calculus (OR=2.0, 95% CI=1.2-3.2) were significantly associated with chronic periodontitis. CONCLUSION: This population of adolescents and young adults had a high prevalence of chronic periodontitis, and its presence was associated with age, socioeconomic status, smoking and calculus.

The mechanical control of supragingival biofilm is accepted as one of the most important measures to treat and prevent dental caries and periodontal diseases. Nevertheless, maintaining dental surfaces biofilm-free is not an easy task. In this regard, chemical agents, mainly in the form of mouthwashes, have been studied to help overcome the difficulties involved in the mechanical control of biofilm. The aim of this paper was to discuss proposals for the teaching of supragingival chemical control (SCC) in order to improve dentists' knowledge regarding this clinical issue. Firstly, the literature regarding the efficacy of antiseptics is presented, clearly showing that chemical agents are clinically effective in the reduction of biofilm and gingival inflammation when used as adjuvant agents to mechanical control. Thus, it is suggested that the content related to SCC be included in the curricular grid of dental schools. Secondly, some essential topics are recommended to be included in the teaching of SCC as follows: skills and competencies expected of a graduate dentist regarding SCC; how to include this content in the curricular grid; teaching-learning tools and techniques to be employed; and program content.