Indicators of dental incidence in older populations

BACKGROUND: The study of dental problems characteristic of geriatric patients is becoming increasingly relevant. As a person ages, the entire dental system undergoes physiological and functional changes. To eliminate the adverse effects of oral diseases, prolong the period of remission, preventive measures, constant monitoring of the level of hygiene, dispensary supervision of elderly and senile persons are necessary.

AIM: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and intensity of dental diseases in the following older age groups: young elderly (65–74 years old), old elderly (75–84 years old), and very old elderly (85 years old and older).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A dental examination of 183 patients was carried out using a modified card for assessing the state of the dental status, according to guidelines of the World Health Organization.

RESULTS: Analysis of dental morbidity in the older age group showed that the most common dental diseases in this group were extractions of lossened teeth caused by caries and periodontal diseases. Following a comprehensive dental examination of elderly patients and people with senility, the intensity of KPU and OHI-S was 19.76±0.52 and 2.71±0.12, respec-tively, and this indicates the poor hygienic state of the oral cavity of this population.

CONCLUSION: Data support the untimeliness and inadequacy of dental care in elderly patients and people with senility. This necessitates the development of special treatment and prophylactic programs for this population, aimed at reducing dental morbidity.