title: Oral and dental health of non-institutionalized elderly people in Spain.
abstract: With aging of the populations, the oral health and hygiene of elderly people has become an important public health issue. In this cross-sectional study we investigated the prevalence of tooth decay and other periodontal diseases in a representative cohort of 480 non-institutionalized adults ≥65 years from the province of Valencia, Spain. Using a World Health Organization standard for an adult oral survey methodology, we obtained data on remnant teeth with the decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index, a Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPTIN), attachment loss, and temporo-mandibular articulation (TMA) status. The prevalence of these conditions were compared by age and gender, using the Chi-square, and Student's t-, and ANOVA statistical tests. The mean number of remaining teeth were 17.1 in the total sample, which was higher for women (17.9 versus 15.7 in men; p=0.04). This mean number decreased as age increased (p<0.05). The overall DMFT index was 19%, showing a persistent increase with age from 14% (65-69-year) to 23% (≥80-year) (p=0.118). Only 6% of participants had no periodontal pathology, while 26% had bleeding gums and 57% had calculus, while attachment loss was observed in 31%. TMA malfunction with a click was present in 6%, was painful in 5%, and was associated with reduced mouth-opening in 2%. The prevalence of oral health pathologies was high among these elderly people, who would benefit from optimal oral health care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Valencia, and Research Foundation, Dr Peset University Hospital of Valencia, Spain. maria.m.morales@uv.es
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morales-Suárez-Varela
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ibáñez-Cabanell
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gimeno-Clemente
authors.forename: José Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Roig-García
authors.forename: María Adoración
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Nieto-García
authors.forename: Agustín
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Llopis-González
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D003729:Dental Care; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019229:Dentition, Permanent; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007326:Institutionalization; D008297:Male; D009909:Oral Health; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010512:Periodontal Index; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology