Purpose: To evaluate the periodontal condition of adult patients attending public health centres in the city of Recife, Brazil, and to investigate whether periodontal conditions are associated with socioeconomic and demographic variables. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 13 randomly selected public health centres. Sample size was calculated using 5.0% standard error and a confidence interval of 95%. The minimum sample size was 461 subjects, and a total of 505 subjects participated in this study. Each participant completed a questionnaire and underwent periodontal examination. Periodontal conditions were based on the Community Periodontal Index (CPI). Bivariate analysis of frequencies and means was performed with SPSS, version 11.0. The chi-square and likelihood ratio statistical tests were used to calculate the level of statistical significance of the associations tested. The level of statistical significance was set at P 0.05. Results: Calculus was the highest CPI score in 61.8% of the subjects, and shallow pockets (4-5 mm) were the highest score in 15.2% of them. A healthy periodontium was observed in 10.7%, while gingival bleeding and deep pockets (>= 6 mm) were found as the highest CPI score in 10.3% and 2.0% of the sample, respectively. Periodontal conditions showed significant association with the socioeconomic and demographic variables analysed (P 0.05). Conclusions: Findings indicate a high prevalence of periodontal alterations in the sample. Periodontal conditions were worse in men, married individuals, older subjects and individuals with low socioeconomic class and poor education. Schlagwörter: adults, periodontal condition, prevalence