Past and present geographic location as oral health markers among older adults.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the association between oral health status of community-dwelling elderly adults visiting day health centers in Israel and geographic living location.


METHODS
Oral status was assessed through clinical examination, with additional data obtained using a questionnaire addressing demographic characteristics, dental utilization, and perceived oral health needs.


RESULTS
A representative sample of 338 subjects was examined. Fifty-four percent of the sample was edentulous. Higher rates of edentulism were found among subjects living in urban areas compared to subjects living in rural areas (P<.01). More edentate subjects were found among European immigrants than among immigrants from North Africa or subjects born in Israel (P<.01). Among dentate subjects, the mean number of remaining teeth was 10.4. The mean periodontal loss of attachment was 5.8 mm. Less than 10 percent had mean attachment loss <4 mm. Among subjects living in rural areas, mean attachment loss was higher than among those living in urban areas (P=.05). The mean DF score was 1.9. Forty-seven percent had at least one tooth with untreated caries. Subjects living in urban areas tended to utilize dental services more than subjects living in rural areas (P<.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Results indicate that present (urban or rural) and past (country of origin) geographic location represented a significant oral health risk marker. The implementation of a comprehensive program for this target population was clearly indicated.
Adut
Rina
R
Department of Community Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, Hebrew University-Hadassah, Israel. rinadut@hotmail.com
Mann
Jonathan
J
Sgan-Cohen
Harold D
HD
D000352:Africa, Northern / Q000208:ethnology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004245:DMF Index; D003631:Day Care, Medical; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005060:Europe / Q000208:ethnology; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D007576:Jaw, Edentulous, Partially / Q000453:epidemiology; D009066:Mouth, Edentulous / Q000453:epidemiology; D009909:Oral Health; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000453:epidemiology; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data