Comparison of Dental Status among British and German elderly adults

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to examine whether the prevalence of tooth loss in elderly people is equal in Britain and Pomerania (Germany). METHODS: Population-based samples of two cross-sectional epidemiologic surveys among adults aged 65-80 years were evaluated: a subsample of 518 subjects from Britain (NDNS, age: 72.6 ± 4.4 years) and a sample of 982 subjects from North-East Germany (SHIP, age: 72.1 ± 4.4 years). Tooth loss was classified into six groups: edentulism (group I), 1-3 remaining teeth (II), loss of 4+ anterior or 3+ posterior teeth or uni-/bilateral SDA with at least one missing premolar (III), gap of missing up to 4 anterior teeth (IV), gap of missing up to 3 posterior teeth, at least one missing premolar (V), other (missing one molar, no missing anterior teeth or missing premolars) (VI), separated by jaw. RESULTS: Prevalence of edentulism in Britain (46.3%) is higher than in North-East Germany (37.9%, P=0.002). Dentate British participants remained more natural teeth (Median=16, IQR=11) than participants in Germany (Median=10, IQR=12, P<0.001). Subjects in group II showed the most prevalent difference in tooth loss in the mandible (3.0% in Britain and 12.9% in North-East Germany, P<0.001). Frequencies in the other groups were as followed: 47.8% and 40.5% in group I, 18,9% and 22.0% in group III, 3.0% and 5.2% in group IV, 13.0% and 7.5% in group V, 14.4% and 11.8% in group VI for Britain and Germany, respectively. Similar results were shown in the maxilla. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate an independent cultural influence in the prevalence of tooth loss among elderly people. Differences in practice patterns and attitudes towards the retention of teeth as well as the health system may be contributing factors. Further investigations should determine the reasons for this variation in the prevalence of remaining teeth.