Oral and dental health of non-institutionalized elderly people in Spain

With aging of the populations, the oral health and hygiene of elderly people has become an important public health issue. In this cross-sectional study we investigated the prevalence of tooth decay and other periodontal diseases in a representative cohort of 480 non-institutionalized adults ≥65 years from the province of Valencia, Spain. Using a World Health Organization standard for an adult oral survey methodology, we obtained data on remnant teeth with the decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index, a Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPTIN), attachment loss, and temporo-mandibular articulation (TMA) status. The prevalence of these conditions were compared by age and gender, using the Chi-square, and Student's t-, and ANOVA statistical tests. The mean number of remaining teeth were 17.1 in the total sample, which was higher for women (17.9 versus 15.7 in men; p = 0.04). This mean number decreased as age increased (p < 0.05). The overall DMFT index was 19%, showing a persistent increase with age from 14% (65–69-year) to 23% (≥80-year) (p = 0.118). Only 6% of participants had no periodontal pathology, while 26% had bleeding gums and 57% had calculus, while attachment loss was observed in 31%. TMA malfunction with a click was present in 6%, was painful in 5%, and was associated with reduced mouth-opening in 2%. The prevalence of oral health pathologies was high among these elderly people, who would benefit from optimal oral health care.