Oral health patterns of independently living dentate older people: a cross‐sectional survey of dental attendees in south‐east London. (24th January 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Al‐Haboubi, Mustafa; Zoitopoulos, Liana; Beighton, David; Gallagher, Jennifer
• Is Part Of: Gerodontology. Volume 31:Number 4(2014:Dec.)
• Page Start: 265
• Page End: 273
• Publication Date: 2013-01-24
• Subjects: Older people -- Dental care -- Periodicals; 617.60846
• DOI: 10.1111/ger.12033
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0734-0664

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="ger12033-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="ger12033-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>The oral health needs of older adults present increasing challenges to dental services.</p> </sec> <sec id="ger12033-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Objectives</title> <p>To examine the clinical oral health status of dentate older people living in the community and attending dental services.</p> </sec> <sec id="ger12033-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>One hundred and eighty‐six dentate adults, aged ≥60 years, underwent clinical examination (DMFS, Plaque and Gingival Indexes), salivary analysis and completed a questionnaire.</p> </sec> <sec id="ger12033-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Participants had an average of 21.4 (±6.2) teeth present and 1.2 (±3.0) decayed, 51.0 (±28.8) missing and 32.6 (±20.5) restored surfaces. Individuals living in the most deprived areas had significantly lower numbers of teeth than those in the least deprived areas (19.1 ± 7.5 cf 23.8 ± 4.1; <italic>p</italic> < 0.001). Whilst there were no significant differences in DMFS score, residents in the most deprived areas had significantly more missing and fewer filled surfaces than those in the least deprived areas (<italic>p</italic> = 0.001 and <italic>p</italic> < 0.001, respectively). Participants with ≥21 teeth (64%) had lower plaque scores, fewer decayed root surfaces, higher stimulated saliva flow rates and lower salivary lactobacilli and yeast counts than those with <21 teeth (<italic>p</italic> < 0.05 for all).</p> </sec> <sec id="ger12033-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>The findings highlight differences in clinical oral health by age and deprivation status and underline the importance of saliva and retaining a functional dentition.</p> </sec> </abstract>