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Abstract
Background: Missing teeth without prosthetic replacement had been linked to reduced quality of life in elderly population. Data on teeth retention, prosthetic status and needs of elderly population is rare in our environment. Aim: This study was designed to assess teeth retention, prosthetic status and needs among elderly patients attending our dental centre. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among elderly patients, 65 years and above attending Dental Centre of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital using structured questionnaire and clinical examination. The clinical examination was conducted using WHO criteria. The questionnaire items include socio-demographic variables, dental clinic visit behavior and history of pain, chewing difficulty, denture wearing, systemic illness and medication. Teeth present and those indicated for extractions were charted. The prosthetic status and needs were also recorded. Chi Square was used to determine the relationship between two variables. Results: There were 104 respondents out of which 53 (51.0%) were males. The mean age was 71.5years (± 6.1). About half (49.0%) had not seen a dentist within the last five years. About 66% complained of dental pain and 67.6% had one systemic illness or the other. Majority of the patients (90.1%) had 20 or more teeth in their mouth and 2 (1.9%) had shortened dental arch. One respondent (1.0%) had a 1-unit Bridge while 13.5% wear removable partial denture. Most of the respondents (75.0%) needed prosthetic replacement. Conclusion: There is a high prosthetic need and poor prosthetic status among the respondents.
Highlights
As the age of the population increases, the number of adults with acute and chronic illnesses increases
Many recent studies have shown that systemic diseases and their treatments may have an impact on oral health and vice versa [2]
Number of missing teeth has been found to be positively associated with a poorer general health status [4] and Chronic Periodontitis is a common cause of tooth loss among the elderly [5]
Summary
As the age of the population increases, the number of adults with acute and chronic illnesses increases. Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus may cause oral infection and eventual tooth loss [3] while periodontal disease may give rise to pathogens which can become blood borne or aspirated into the lungs, and which may cause serious even life threatening consequences [2]. Number of missing teeth has been found to be positively associated with a poorer general health status [4] and Chronic Periodontitis is a common cause of tooth loss among the elderly [5]. Tooth loss is an irreversible oral health problem with many and common consequences in the elderly population. [6,7] Regrettably, older adults with chronic systemic diseases may not consider oral health much of a priority. Prosthetic status and needs of elderly population is rare in our environment
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