title: Oral health status of a population of community-dwelling older Canadians.
abstract: A sample of 170 responsive residents of seniors housing centres in Winnipeg, Canada, were studied, (>65 years, mean 82 years), with the objectives of relating their dental state to their perception of need and uptake of service. Only 6% rated their oral health as poor, 46% reported a dental visit within the previous year and 68% felt they needed dental treatment. A lack of perceived need (88%) was the primary reason why dental care was not sought more frequently. Hygiene practices revealed that only 7% brushed < 1 time/day, 60% never flossed, 14% cleaned their dentures <1 time/day, and 42% slept with their dentures. Dental histories showed that examination (94%), prosthodontic treatment (76%), and restorative services (65%) were the most commonly sought treatments. Perceived dental needs included prosthodontic treatment (39%), periodontal/prophylactic treatment (10%), restorative treatment (9%) and pain relief (9%). Study subjects had 2.8 decayed teeth, a DMFT of 25.1, and a Root Caries Index of 38%. CPITN scores of 3 or 4 in at least one sextant were found in 80% of subjects. Of the 41% edentulous, all wore complete dentures but 15% of complete upper dentures and 51% of complete lower dentures fitted poorly. Of the partial dentures, 20% fitted poorly. Soft tissue anomalies were seen in 67% of subjects and 47% had TMJ anomalies. Overall, 77% of edentulous subjects and all dentate subjects required some dental treatment even though 46% had seen a dentist within the preceding year. It is concluded that appropriate management of such people needs further attention.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Galan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brecx
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Heath
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004245:DMF Index; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016321:Dental Care for Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D003778:Dentures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008350:Manitoba / Q000453:epidemiology; D009066:Mouth, Edentulous / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010512:Periodontal Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires