Pattern of caries experience among an elderly population in south India.
A study was carried out among a population aged 60 years or over in South India. The caries experience, as expressed by the DMFT index, was found to be a mean of 13.51, of which the 'missing' component was 10.98. The sample population had an average of 18.42 teeth present but not one of the 300 individuals interviewed and examined had a tooth filled. Details are given of the teeth most commonly carious and missing. Data are also provided on habits and oral hygiene measures and their effect on the oral health of the elderly in this region.
Department of Community Dentistry, College of Dental Surgery, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Karnataka State, India.
S
S
Thomas
R V
RV
Raja
R
R
Kutty
M S
MS
Strayer
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001114:Areca; D001641:Bicuspid; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007576:Jaw, Edentulous, Partially / Q000453:epidemiology; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008963:Molar; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D017213:Root Caries / Q000453:epidemiology; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000453:epidemiology