title: Survey of the dental state and needs of a group of elderly army pensioners in England.
abstract: 375 army pensioners (89% of the population of the Royal Hospital Chelsea) were interviewed and given a dental inspection. The quality of any denture was assessed by KAPUR's method. Of the 318 men with dentures 254 (85%) had not been back to the dentist since and 60% of the dentures were over 10 years old. 244 denture wearers claimed they were satisfied although only 11 dentures could be rated 'good' and 67% of complete dentures were 'poor'. 25% of those interviewed actually wanted treatment, 10% did not know but the majority simply 'couldn't be bothered'. The overwhelming need is for skilled prosthetic treatment. A plea is made for educating patients to appreciate that dentures should be changed and that regular dental inspections are necessary throughout life.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001290:Attitude; D003729:Dental Care; D003824:Denture, Complete; D004739:England; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008891:Military Science; D009066:Mouth, Edentulous / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009909:Oral Health; D010415:Pensions