A comparison of the dental health of Brazilian and Canadian independently living elderly.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the dental status of Brazilian and Canadian elderly populations with respect to socioeconomic and quality of life factors.


METHODS
A total of 496 adults aged 60-75 years, having four or more teeth, and physically and cognitively suitable for a clinical oral examination were included. Subjects answered questions concerning their lifestyle and completed the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) questionnaire.


RESULTS
In all populations, the majority were females, aged between 60 and 65 years and married. Although the Canadian New Immigrant population had lower mean income, they had more remaining teeth (23.04 ± 6.1), more functional teeth (sound and restored teeth) (14.92 ± 5.7), more sound teeth (15.40 ± 7.6), but more carious teeth (2.97 ± 3.0). The Brazilian population had higher numbers of restored teeth (12.26 ± 6.8) and fewer remaining teeth (17.80 ± 7.6). In all populations, females, married and younger (60-65 years old) adults were more likely to retain 20 or more teeth. The mean GOHAI scores were similar for Canadians (40.55 ± 5.7) and Canadian New Immigrants (39.28 ± 6.5), but were higher than that among Brazilians (31.97 ± 8.9).


CONCLUSIONS
The numbers of remaining teeth were related to greater education and higher income status for Brazilian and Canadian populations. However, Canadian New Immigrants with lower income and education retained more teeth than the other populations.
Joaquim
Andrea M C
AM
Bauru Faculty of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Wyatt
Chris C L
CC
Aleksejūnienė
Jolanta
J
Greghi
Sebastiao L A
SL
Pegoraro
Luiz F
LF
Kiyak
H Asuman
HA
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology; D004522:Educational Status; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D057187:Independent Living / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D009909:Oral Health; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000453:epidemiology