determination of periodontal treatment needs (cpitn index) in instituonalized mentally retarded patients of tabriz institutes

background & objective : there are over 3 million mental retarded all over the world. so that promotion of oral and dental health of these patients is one of the major challenges in every society. this study was conducted to determine the periodontal treatment needs for these patients in tabriz institutes.   materials & methods : three hundred and eighty six mental retarded patients between 4 to 22 years old residing in tabriz institute were selected (191 male and 195 female). disability severity and intelligence quotient (iq) were evaluated regarding the history of the periodontal needs were amended by cpitn index. t-test, chi-square and mann-whitney test were used for data analysis.   results: difference of mean between male and female was not statistically significant (p>0.05). absolute distributions of sever, moderate and mild retardation 120, 215, 51. relationship between iq and periodontal need score was statistically significant (p<0.05). treatments need score for 87 samples were tn0 and for 113 samples was tn1. 144 samples had score and rest of the sample had tn3 score.   conclusion : severity of mental retardation and disability in these patients has direct significant correlation with periodontal state and treatment needs.