Methods: The study population covered 64+ year old adults (n=2480) participated in a large population-based cross-sectional survey sponsored by Municipality of Tehran, using the Urban Health Equity Assessment and Response Tool (Urban-HEART) in 2011. Original sampling method was stratified multistage cluster randomized design, conducted within all the districts of Tehran. Self-reported number of remaining teeth and the history of dental visit in the past year were asked and recorded by a trained surveyor. Statistical analysis was done by t-test and ANOVA.
Results: Of all the participants, 63% were male with the mean age of 72.4 (SD 5.9; range 65-90 years). The mean number of missing teeth was 12.6 (SD 11.5) with no difference by gender. Older adults who had no dental visit in the past year (55% of total) had more missing teeth (P<0.001).
Conclusions: Findings of the current research indicated that oral health programs should be focused on the encouragement of older people to have regular dental check-ups, at least once a year, to improve their oral health and maintain more teeth during their lifetime.