Assessment of Edentulousness Status, Prosthetic Status and Prosthetic Treatment Needs of Geriatric Population of Belgaum District, Karnataka State

Abstract

Background and Objectives : Belgaum district in Karnataka state has a large geriatric population residing in the rural and urban areas of its 10 talukas. A study was planned to assess the edentulousness status,prosthetic status and prosthetic treatment needs by location and to compare them with the sociodemographic variables among the residents as per the Census age data of Karnataka State. Methodology : A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in Belgaum district among 1700 adult residents aged 60 years and above representing 0.5% of the total geriatric population. A multi stage sampling methodology was used for the selection of the resident, involving a house to house survey. The prosthetic status and prosthetic treatment needs part of the WHO Oral Health assessment form 1997 was included in the self designed proforma. Data was entered using Microsoft excel Software application and results were subjected to statistical analysis by using SPSS package ( Chicago, Version 10.5 ) Results : The percentage of complete edentulousness in one or both arches was 492 ( 29%) and the percentage of partial edentulousness in one or both arches was 1074 ( 63.17%). Only 116 ( 6,8%) had a full removable denture in one or both arches and 84 ( 4.94% ) of them had partial dentures in one or both arches. Overall, 1435 ( 84.4%) of the residents had a need for some prosthetic treatment. Edentulousness status, prosthetic status and prosthetic treatment needs were influenced by the sociodemographic variables. Interpretation and Conclusion : Edentulousness status was high among the geriatric residents. Prosthetic status was low and prosthetic treatment needs were high. Overall, the needs for prosthodontics services were high in the elderly residents of Belgaum District, and a comprehensive strategy needs to be evolved and implemented to address this.