SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A randomly selected sample of 690 elderly people from 23 wards in S.E.L.G.A. were examine by two trained and calibrated examiners using mirror and probe and natural light.
RESULTS: One hundred and fifty five (22.46%) of the elderly examined had one or more oral pathology lesions, representing infection related swelling, non-infection related swelling, premalignant lesions, denture stomatitis, non-denture based ulcers, angular cheilitis, geographic tongue, scrotal tongue and mucosa fibrosis of the palate. Fifty-five (36.7%) of these pathologies were infection related swellings. Six (4.)%) of the pathologies were denture related stomatis, 19 (12.7%) were premalignant lesions, 20 (13.3%) were non-infection related swellings and 27 (18.0%) were T.M.J. impairment. Only 11.9% of the participants had tobacco related habits. 15.8% drink alcohol whilst 61.2% chew kolanuts.
CONCLUSION: Oral pathology conditions was not highly prevalent among the study group. Infection related swelling was the most prevalent condition observed many of which were complications from periodontal disease which culminated in abscesses. Tobacco related habits were not highly prevalent among the elderly people in S.E.L.G.A.