title: Oral health status in older immigrants in a medium-sized Swedish city.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to investigate oral health and oral care habits among older immigrants to Sweden from countries outside the Nordic region.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants ≥60 years of age from senior social centers for immigrants were invited to attend oral examinations. Data was collected on the number of teeth, dentures, caries, periodontal status, saliva secretion, and plaque scores. Participants also described their general health and oral care habits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fourteen men and 28 women, median age 71.5 years, participated. Seventeen percent were edentulous, women often than men. Three out of four had caries and 63% had gingival bleeding. Two-thirds brushed their teeth twice per day and 60% had visited dental services in the last 2 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The group had a high prevalence of oral diseases and discomfort. They used dental services and brushed their teeth less frequently than Swedish populations of the same age.
authors.affiliation: Public Dental Health, Uppsala County Council, Sweden.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Olerud
authors.affiliation: Public Dental Health, Uppsala County Council, Sweden.
authors.forename: Marie-Louise
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Hagman-Gustavsson
authors.affiliation: Public Dental Health, Uppsala County Council, Sweden. pia.gabre@lul.se.|Department of Cariology, Institute of Odontology, The Sahlgrens, ka Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden. pia.gabre@lul.se.
authors.forename: Pia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gabre
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009909:Oral Health; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population
keywords: dental care habits; dental caries; elders; immigrants; oral health status; periodontal disease