Oral conditions and need for dental treatment in an elderly population in Northern Norway

Abstract

Oral conditions and dental treatment needs were investigated in a group of persons aged 65--79. A sample comprising 280 persons was drawn systematically to cover all persons in this age category living in the county of Troms in Norway. 241 persons attended, leaving a participation-rate of 86. The participants were examined mainly in their homes by dentists in graduate training. Sixteen percent of the group were in constant need of assistance or care due to a poor general state of health. In all, 80% were edentulous: 72% of the men and 87% of the women. Ninety-two percent wore removable dentures, 5% had natural teeth only, and 14% had natural teeth combined with a denture. Furthermore, 4% had neither teeth nor dentures, while dentures in both jaws were found in 66%. The "objective" treatment needs were extensive and had mainly accumulated due to neglectec care. Forty percent of the total group needed new complete dentures and 20% a more comprehensive correction of their dentures. By contrast only 30% intended to seek treatment in the near future. There seemd to be a definite need for a dental program to overcome or reduce the economic and other situational barriers.