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This study describes the cross-sectional findings on dental plaque, calculus, gingivitis, loss of attachment, periodontal pockets and tooth loss in a population of adult Tanzanians aged 30-69 years. In all age groups more than 90% of all tooth surfaces exhibited plaque and 50 65% exhibited calculus deposits. Both plaque and calculus deposits were more extensive in the older age groups whereas gingival bleeding affected 30-40% of the surfaces in all age groups. Less than 35% of all surfaces exhibited a loss of attachment ≥4 mm and less than 10% had a loss of attachment exceeding 6 mm. Loss of attachment was accompanied by recession of the marginal gingiva and pockets deeper than 3 mm were present on less than 10% of all surfaces. The mean number of teeth present ranged from 23.9 in the oldest to 29.5 in the youngest age group. An interesting finding was that relatively few individuals accounted for most of the loss of attachment and periodontal pockets found in the study. Therefore, in future epidemiologic studies marc emphasis should be put on the identification of these particularly susceptible subpopulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]