Edentulousness and associated risk factors in a south Brazilian elderly population.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between edentulousness and the socioeconomic and behavioural variables collected in a cross-sectional study of an elderly population.


METHODS
The study was conducted on 277 elderly (60 years or older) in the municipality of Biguaçu, Southern Brazil. The oral examinations and questionnaires were conducted by two calibrated dentists. The criteria used followed the WHO and FDI standards.


RESULTS
Prevalence of edentulousness reached 48.4%. A significant association was found in bivariate analysis for gender, satisfaction with appearance, time since last dental visit, the type of dental service sought in the last 5 years, educational level of the elderly and their children, and age of the elderly. In the multivariate analysis, gender, time since last dental visit and level of education of the elderly were significantly associated with edentulousness.


CONCLUSIONS
Female sex and low educational level were the main risk factors for edentulousness in this population. Although various Brazilian studies suggest a decline in edentulousness in the country, methodologically robust research into edentulousness in Brazil is still limited, demanding further studies into this highly prevalent yet preventable health problem amongst the elderly.
Colussi
Claudia Flemming
CF
Postgraduate Programme in Dentistry, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil. claucolussi@hotmail.com
de Freitas
Sérgio Fernando Torres
SF
D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000453:epidemiology*