Oral health status among older people in a global perspective

Abstract Body: Standardized epidemiological data on older people’s oral health are often based on number of teeth present and/or prevalence of edentulousness. Also, based on WHO-criteria standardized data on untreated caries and caries-experience have been obtained, facilitating comparisons of results of various studies. In contrast, different methods for registration of periodontitis hamper comparisons of results obtained, however, over time a number of trends are revealed. During past decades, a general decrease in edentulousness among elderly is obvious, especially in Western European and Nordic countries, although with considerable variations. According to WHO, the average DMFT is higher among persons 65+ years in Europe than in any other WHO-region, and the component ‘missing teeth’ is prevailing. Thus, over time the burden of untreated caries seems to have shifted from children to older age-groups (including 70+years), and caries activity among elderly appears to have the same level as in younger age-groups. The general trend in tooth preservation seems to increase the need for maintenance and repair of earlier restorations, and to increase the prevalence of periodontitis among older individuals. Most surveys on oral diseases emphasize great variations dependent on geographical area, most pronounced between developing and developed countries. Socio-economic factors play a significant role for elderly people’s oral disease level. Another challenge is the increasing number of frail elderly and/or functionally dependent elderly. Individuals living in nursing homes or receiving personal care in their homes are vulnerable patients with poor oral hygiene and substantial oral problems. Many old and frail persons are under medication resulting in symptoms as dry mouth and reduced chewing ability. Studies of oral health in this population group have revealed very high levels of treatment needs. Consequently, the global increase in number of elderly people is a challenge to the dental care systems as well as to the responsible health authorities.