[Prosthetic treatment needs among the elder in Germany].
BACKGROUND
The life expectancy has significantly increased in the last 100 years. Therefore it has to be taken into account that many patients who come to the dentist are over 60. In this group of patients, you should pay attention to geriatric aspects of medical history and treatment plan. Nowadays as well as in the past, teeth loss correlates with the age especially thus with the branch of dentistry which is prosthetics. The aim of this study was to define: 1) the condition of the masticatory system of people over 60 who live with their families or at the nursing home; 2) the assessment of prosthetics needs of these groups; 3) differences (if occure) in these examined groups; 4) coexistence of general diseases.


METHODS
The study was conducted on the group of 100 elder people in the range of age between 61-95. First group constituted 50 patients from nursing home in Hannover next 50 patients were treated in private dental practice in Lohne. The study included medical history and the dental examination. The dental examination focused on the inspection of the face symmetry, condition of TMJ, teeth, mucosa and the type of dental appliences as well as the level of oral hygiene.


RESULTS
The proper condition of masticatory system was classified in 58% of patients from nursing home and 62% of patients from private practice. Only in 60% of patients from both of group the proper shape of the temporo-mandibular joint was determinated. Patients who suffered from general diseases constituted 72% of those living in nursing home and 66% those from private practice. Among these patients, the circulatory system problems were the most frequent and the diabetes occure almost equally often. 42% of patients from nursing home determinated need to weave dentures or other dental appliences in comparison to 32% from private practice.


CONCLUSIONS
The condition of the masticatory system was inefficient in both groups but the dental needs of patients from nursing home were significantly higher.
Fraczak
Bogumiła
B
Zakład Protetyki Stomatologicznej Pomorskiej Akademii Medycznej w Szczecinie, Szczecin.
Lupa-Bühmann
Joanna
J
Sobolewska
Ewa
E
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D017266:Dental Prosthesis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D003945:Diagnosis, Oral / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005850:Geriatric Dentistry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011331:Private Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology