Correlates of partial tooth loss and edentulism in the Brazilian elderly.
BACKGROUND
In South American older adults the association between tooth loss and demographic, predisposing and enabling factors has not been determined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between partial and complete tooth loss and demographic, predisposing, enabling and need factors, and quality of life variables in the Brazilian older adults.


METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, 5349 subjects aged 65-74 years were evaluated using conglomerate random sampling. Data collection included dental examinations and questionnaires evaluating demographic, predisposing, enabling and need factors, and quality of life variables. Multinomial logistic regression was carried out to evaluate correlates of tooth loss. The number of teeth was set as the outcome and categorized as: edentulous, subjects with 1-19 teeth, and subjects with 20 or more teeth.


RESULTS
Predisposing factors including age, female gender and schooling were independently associated with edentulism. Female gender was associated with partial tooth loss. The only enabling factor associated with edentulism was car ownership. Need factors were associated with edentulism and partial tooth loss. Edentulous subjects perceived the need for dental treatment less frequently. Quality of life factors were associated with partial tooth loss and edentulism. Subjects with 1-19 teeth and edentulous subjects were more likely to rate their chewing ability as not good. Edentulous subjects were more likely to rate their speech ability and their dental appearance as good.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that tooth loss and edentulism were complex phenomena, with intricate predisposing, demographic, enabling and need factors playing a role.
Hugo
Fernando Neves
FN
Faculty of Dentistry of Piracicaba, State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, Brazil. fnhugo@yahoo.com.br
Hilgert
Juliana Balbinot
JB
de Sousa
Maria da Luz Rosário
Mda L
da Silva
Débora Dias
DD
Pucca
Gilberto Alfredo
GA
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001336:Automobiles; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003729:Dental Care / Q000523:psychology; D004522:Educational Status; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007576:Jaw, Edentulous, Partially / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology; D009066:Mouth, Edentulous / Q000209:etiology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000209:etiology*