Meta-analysis on dental caries among the elderly in Iran

Method: Systematic review of the published and gray literature performed according to National and Sub-National Burden of Diseases Study protocol. Three international search databases (PubMed, ISI and Scopus) and three local search databases (IranMedex, SID and Irandoc) used to provide the most comprehensive population-based studies. National Oral Health surveys, as well as National Disease and Health Survey considered as other main 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. Target population was 65⁺-year-olds Iranian population.

Result: Overall, 917 English and 2138 Persian articles were found reporting dental caries among all ages.  After quality assessment, 28 studies with 1318 subjects, reporting dental caries for the elderly, were included in the meta-analysis. Mean DMFT among the elderly was 26.4 (95% CI, 25.5-27.3). Mean DT was 0.9 (95% CI, 0.7-1.1). Mean MT was 25.2 (95% CI, 24.2-26.2), and mean FT was 0.06 (95% CI, 0.04-0.09). The majority (96%) of DMFT is related to missing teeth.

Conclusion: Dental caries has a very high burden on oral health of the elderly in Iran, mainly responded by tooth extraction.