Bone loss in chronic periodontitis was assessed from panoramic radiographs by direct measurement from the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) and by measuring the proportion of the tooth length supported by bone. Mesial and distal bone levels of all available teeth were assessed for 50 patients aged 30-39 years referred for periodontal treatment. 85% and 74% of surfaces were measurable by the proportional and direct techniques, respectively. 27% of surfaces had no bone loss according to the proportional score, whereas 22% had a CEJ to alveolar bone distance of less than 2 mm. In addition, over half the surfaces with a proportional bone loss score of zero had a CEJ to alveolar bone distance of 2 mm or more, and for each proportional bone loss score, there was considerable overlap in the CEJ to alveolar bone distances recorded. The validity of the CEJ to alveolar bone measurements was established by comparison with direct measurements at periodontal surgery. The results support the use of direct measurement from the CEJ to alveolar bone rather than the assessment of the proportion of the tooth length within the bone when investigating bone loss from panoramic radiographs. This population of 30-40-year-old periodontal patients had a mean of 50% of sites with a CEJ to alveolar bone distance of 3 mm or more, and at such sites, there was a mean additional bone loss of 2.1 mm.

This paper gives general information on the location of Kenya, its demography, economy, organisation of health services, general health policy, health financing, oral health infrastructure, problems that hamper health financing and proposals on how to solve these problems. Further, a summary of health status of the Kenyan people is given based on the results of studies. The mean DMFT for the rural and urban populations is low and there is no evidence of an increase or decrease. Similarly, the prevalence of periodontitis is low (1-10%), with no increase. Ulcerative lesions are rare (0.12%). The most common birth defects are cleft lip and palate. Oral cancer is very low, accounting for 2% of all malignancies. Comparative studies have not demonstrated any dramatic change in the frequency of oral cancer for the last 25 years. Oral candidiasis is the most prevalent oral lesion amongst HIV/AIDS patients. In June 2003, Kenya formulated a National Oral Health Policy, which gives direction on how to improve the oral health status of the citizens.

A case of fanconi's anemia was referred to the Dental School from the Department of Pediatrics. The patient was a 24-year-old male and a product of a consanguineous marriage. His chief complaint was loose and falling teeth, which has started at the age of 16 years. The first teeth to fall out were the first permanent molars followed by mandibular and maxillary anteriors. General examination showed that the patient was of normal intelligence and small for his age. He had no palmar plantar hyperkeratosis and was not diabetic. A total of 19 teeth remained in the mouth, most of them with grade three mobility. The remaining molars and first maxillary premolars had grade three furcation involvement. Most of the teeth had periodontal pockets more than 10 mm deep. Full mouth intraoral periapical radiographs and orthopantomographic views showed severe horizontal bone loss uncommensurate with the patient's age. In view of the patient's history and severe bone loss at an early age, the diagnosis was juvenile periodontitis associated with Fanconi's anemia.

The objectives of this study were to determine the frequency of Acute Necrotising Gingivitis (ANG), its sex and age distribution, ethnicity and seasonal variation amongst patients at the Dental Unit of Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in Nairobi, Kenya. Cards of patients who were seen in the Dental Unit of KNH in 1992/1993, were scrutinised for positive diagnosis of ANG, age, sex, presenting signs and symptoms and treatment that was given. Of the 53,572 patients who were treated, (0.15 per cent) had ANG. Their age range was 1.5-46 years (Mean = 14.5 years), with 58.5 per cent being below 11 years and 32.9 per cent being between 21 and 40 years. The most affected ethnic groups were the Luos and Kikuyus, while 72 per cent of the patients were seen in March and April, and between September and December. It is concluded that the frequency of ANG was low, ANG affected children and adults, and that ANG varied seasonally.

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