Background: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of aggressive periodontitis among young Israeli army recruits and to evaluate its association with smoking habits and ethnic origin.

Methods: The study population consisted of 642 young army recruits (562 men [87.5%] and 80 women [12.5%]), aged 18 to 30 years (average: 19.6 ± 1.6 years), who arrived at a military dental clinic for dental examinations between January and December 2004. Subjects filled out a questionnaire regarding their ethnic origin and family periodontal history, followed by radiographs and a clinical periodontal examination of four first molars and eight incisors.

Results: Aggressive periodontitis was found in 5.9% of the subjects (4.3% localized and 1.6% generalized). At least one site with a probing depth ≥5 mm was found in 20.1% of the subjects. A radiographic distance between crestal bone height and the cemento-enamel junction >3 mm was found in 43 (6.7%) subjects. Current smokers (39.9%) (P = 0.03) and subjects of North African origin (P <0.0001) correlated with a high prevalence of aggressive periodontitis.

Conclusion: A relatively high prevalence of aggressive periodontitis was found in young Israeli army recruits, which was particularly associated with smoking and ethnic origin.