Dental Prosthetic Status and Prosthetic Needs of Geriatric Population: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: Oral health is considered as an indicator for health and quality of life in geriatric patients. It becomes essential to assess the prosthetic status and need in order to promote oral health. Hence, a survey was conducted on geriatric patients visiting a dental teaching institute in India.Materials and Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among geriatric population aged above 60.The sample size was estimated to be 570. The information related to prosthetic status, prosthetic need was obtained using the World Health Organisation Oral Health Assessment Form 1997. Chi‑square test was used to analyse the data.Results: Out of 570 elderly people, 308 were males and 262 were females. The study results showed that 77% and 78% of the total subjects had no prostheses in maxillary and mandibular arch, respectively. Prosthetic status was better in males than in females. The level of prosthetic need was higher in females (82%) in mandibular arch compared to males (75%). In the age group of 80-85years need for complete denture was more. Requirement for single and multi unit prosthesis was higher in age groups of 60-65 years. Less percentage of subjects in the upper socio-economic categories needed prosthesis compared to those in the lower socio-economic categoriesConclusion: Unmet prosthetic needs were more in geriatric population attending the institutional outpatient department. There was no significant association of gender with prosthetic status and need and significant association was observed between age and socioeconomic status with prosthetic status and need.