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The reported prevalence of periodontitis in children and adolescents varies considerably between populations globally. This cross‐sectional study compares clinical and microbiological findings on 83 Somali immigrants and 96 non‐Somali children aged 10–17 years old living in Trollhättan, Sweden. The clinical examination included registration of bleeding on probing, plaque, and calculus on incisors and first molars. The distance between cemento‐enamel junction and bone level was measured on bitewing radiographs. Pooled microbiological samples (1 μL) were taken from the mesial surface of 16, 11, 31, 36, and analyzed by culture and real‐time polymerase chain reaction for seven periodontal associated bacterial species. The Somali participants had poorer oral hygiene and more bleeding, plaque, and calculus. Ten of the Somali but none of the non‐Somali participants showed periodontal breakdown (radiographical bone loss > 3 mm), corresponding to a prevalence of 12% (95% CI: 5.9, 21.0%). The presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans was almost exclusively associated with Somali participants. Further, the JP2 clone was found in five Somalis (including two periodontitis cases) confirming the association of this clone with African populations. The Somali group showed significantly higher frequencies and numbers of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola, implying a mature and adult type of subgingival microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]