title: A preliminary assessment of the periodontal status of elderly pensioners in Benin City, Nigeria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was to assess the periodontal status of pensioners in Benin City and obtain baseline data.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cross-sectional descriptive study involved 250 subjects selected by systematic random sampling from three clusters of general, university and teaching hospital pensioners examined using the Community Periodontal Index index in four locations within Benin City.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The percentages of the dentate subjects with healthy gingiva, bleeding on probing, calculus, shallow pockets and deep pockets were 2.4, 5.2, 46.8, 38.8 and 6.8%, respectively. Only 2% needed no periodontal treatment; those requiring oral hygiene instructions, scaling and polishing and complex treatment were 52, 39 and 7%, respectively. There were no significant differences in the periodontal status of the pensioners by gender, age or tooth brushing habits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of calculus accounted for the most prevalent periodontal condition among the elderly pensioners followed by shallow periodontal pocketing apparently owing to poor dental attendance or lack of access to care. A comprehensive pensioner's oral health programme is recommended.
authors: Department of Preventive Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. ajimen240@yahoo.com
authors: Sunny A
authors: SA
authors: Okeigbemen
authors: Sonny O
authors: SO
authors: Jeboda
authors: Alice A
authors: AA
authors: Umweni
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003728:Dental Calculus / Q000453:epidemiology; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012534:Dental Scaling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000453:epidemiology; D012179:Retirement; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data