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This was a cross-sectional study on periodontal disease in a black community in Brazil. The sample consisted of 104 individuals over 13 years of age (63 females and 41 males). All teeth were examined except the third molars. Six sites per tooth were analyzed in order to measure pocket depth and clinical loss of attachment. Four sites per tooth were used to measure bleeding on probing and presence of calculus. It was observed that bleeding on probing occurred in 97.9% of the total of individuals with teeth, with probing depth >or= 4mm in 43.3% and clinical attachment loss in 63.5%. Calculus was detected in 81.2% of the sample. In the study, individuals 46 to 60 years of age showed the highest mean clinical attachment loss, 8.3mm (+/- 4.27), and a probing depth of 4.6mm (+/- 3.5). Prevalence rate for periodontal disease in this community was similar to rates elsewhere in Brazil and the world, i.e., 9.6% for the severe form. Age, schooling, and tobacco use were identified as risk indicators statistically associated with periodontal disease.