Oral Health Status among the Older Population in South Kerala

Abstract

Context: The world population is aging; the proportion of older people is increasing at a faster rate than that of any other age-group. Oral health of the older population is a global concern, which involves a high prevalence of missing teeth, dental caries, periodontal disease, and wasting diseases. Poor oral health and poor general health are interrelated, due to common risk factors. Studies show that the burden of oral diseases among older people in India is high. We attempted to assess the oral health status among older population in South Kerala using the World Health Organization (WHO) oral health assessment tool. Aims: The aim of the study was to assess the oral health status of older people residing in South Kerala. Settings and design: The study is a population-based cross-sectional survey conducted among older population in South Kerala. Methods and materials: A community-based cross-sectional study in which 399 people participated, of which 200 were females and 199 males. People above 60 years who were permanent residents of the district and of diverse socioeconomic status were recruited into the study. The sampling method used was circular systemic random sampling. Clinical examination was done according to WHO criteria. Statistical analysis used: Descriptive statistics was used in the data. p ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Student’s t -test was used to find the association between variables. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 65 ± 5.5. The mean decayed missing filled teeth (DMFT) was 8.78 ± 8.3, and the mean missing teeth score was 7.38 ± 8.5. The mean decayed score was 1.3 ± 1.96. Conclusion: The oral health of the study population was generally poor, and their treatment needs were high. Therefore, efforts should be taken to bridge the gap between demand and supply of oral healthcare needs among older population. Key messages: The present study shows that the burden of oral diseases in older population is high, based on the high number of dental caries, periodontitis, and missing teeth. The complications of oral diseases can be prevented by early detection, treatment, and proper oral hygiene practices.