Age retirement in women. III. An odontological study.

This study presents data from clinical, roentgenological and interview examinations of 116 women at the age of retirement from work. The study was part of a comprehensive investigation including general health, health behaviour and psychological status. The women were examined 5 months before and 5 months after retirement. Oral status as well as dental health behaviour was recorded. Forty per cent had been treated with removable dentures of different types; 14 women were edentulous in both jaws. The dentate women had on an average 19.8 teeth, of which 83% were either filled or decayed. Eighty-one per cent claimed that they visited a dentist regularly and about 80% actually did so during the observation period. A majority of these were included in a recall system. Almost 1/3 experienced oral dryness, occasionally or constantly. Oral dryness was combined with a somewhat higher frequency of decayed surfaces. About 22% considered themselves to have, from a dental point of view, improved their eating habits after retirement. The study shows no evidence of decline in oral health behaviour after retirement.