Is the shortened dental arch an underused treatment strategy in the Republic of Ireland?
OBJECTIVE
To determine the proportion of Republic of Ireland 35-44 and 65+ year-olds currently satisfying the criteria for a classic shortened dental arch (SDA) of 20 anterior teeth.


METHODS
Secondary analysis of data collected in the 2000/02 epidemiological survey of the oral health of Irish adults.


METHODS
Participants underwent a clinical oral examination in health board dental clinics and completed a detailed interview pertaining to dental and general health.


METHODS
The analysis is based on a random sample of adults, aged 35 to 44 years (n = 978), and 65 years and older (n = 714).


METHODS
The SDA was measured as 20 teeth in the mouth in the positions normally described as from the left second premolar to the right second premolar in each arch.


RESULTS
Only one of the 35-44 year-olds and none of the 65+ year-olds had teeth in their mouths in positions normally described as a classic SDA. However, of the 35-44 year old age group only five patients who had at least a premolar dentition of 20 contiguous teeth had been provided with a removable denture compared to one patient from the 65+ years group.


CONCLUSIONS
Very few older patients in the Republic of Ireland have a SDA based on the measure used. However, very few have been provided with removable dentures where they already possess at least a premolar dentition of 20 contiguous teeth. Suggested reasons for this may include limitations of the data recorded, patient preferences and economic factors.
Oral Health Services Research Centre, Cork Dental School and Hospital, Cork, Ireland. h.guiney@ucc.ie
H
H
Guiney
G
G
McKenna
H
H
Whelton
D
D
O'Mullane
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001641:Bicuspid / Q000473:pathology; D003481:Cuspid / Q000473:pathology; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000473:pathology*; D003779:Denture Design; D003824:Denture, Complete / Q000523:psychology; D003829:Denture, Partial / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000473:pathology; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D007576:Jaw, Edentulous, Partially / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D057240:Patient Preference / Q000523:psychology