Dental Caries among the Elderly in Iran: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Objectives: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on dental caries among the elderly in Iran. Background: The prevalence of dental caries among elderly is high worldwide, and the major burden of oral diseases is caused by dental caries. Methods: Systematic review of the published and grey literature performed. Six international and local databases used to provide the most comprehensive population-based studies. National oral health surveys, as well as national disease and health surveys considered as other primary sources of data. Quality of remained studies was assessed by a modified tool designed based on STROBE statement checklist to evaluate the cross-sectional studies. The target population was 65+-year-olds Iranian population. Results: Overall, 917 English articles who those reported dental caries among all age groups were found in international databases and 2138 Persian articles were found in Iranian databases. After quality assessment, and excluding other age groups, 46 points of data with 10411 aged people ≥ 65 years, were included in the meta-analysis. Mean pooled decayed, missing, and filled teeth among the elderly was 26.84 (26.41-27.28). This index was 26.78 (26.12-27.43) in women and 26.91 (26.32-27.50) in men. Mean number of decayed teeth was 1.48 (1.32-1.65). Mean pooled missing teeth was 24.83 (24.20-25.46), and mean pooled filled teeth was 0.14 (0.12-0.17). The majority (92%) of DMFT was related to missing teeth. Conclusion: Dental caries has a very high burden on the oral health of the elderly in Iran, mainly responded by tooth extraction.