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- Title
Oral health status in a Lebanese geriatric population.
- Authors
Andari, Sandra E.; Ghandour, Lilian A.; Chaaya, Monique; Ghafari, Joseph G.
- Abstract
Background: The sustained growth of older people and the epidemiological shift from communicable to chronic health problems have attracted increased attention to geriatric wellbeing, including oral health. Aims: To evaluate the oral health of urban community-dwelling older people and identify their priority oral health needs. Methods: We recruited 352 adults aged ≥ 65 years in 2015 from social organizations and primary healthcare centres in Beirut and its suburbs. Older people underwent dental examination including the decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) score, gingival health [plaque index (PI) and Periodontal Screening and Recording (PSR)], and dental functional units (FUs). Sociodemographic data were gathered through a structured questionnaire in a face-to-face interview. The participants were stratified into 3 age groups, and according to restoration with partial, complete and no dentures. Statistical analyses included the Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis and χ² tests to explore the oral health status by sociodemographics. Results: Missing teeth contributed most to high DMFT score . Mean PI and root caries indices were high. Mean FU scores were low, but higher in women and in complete denture wearers. Lower numbers of remaining mandibular anterior and maxillary posterior teeth, higher DMFT scores, but better periodontal status (lower PSR scores) were found in the older age groups. The more educated participants exhibited the healthier scores. Conclusion: We observed poor oral health, particularly missing teeth and low FUs, in older people, warranting interventions to integrate oral health within the scope of geriatric general health.
- Subjects
LEBANON; PHYSICAL diagnosis; KRUSKAL-Wallis Test; ORAL health; MEDICAL care for older people; HEALTH status indicators; INTERVIEWING; MANN Whitney U Test; TOOTH roots; SEX distribution; INDEPENDENT living; CHI-squared test; DENTITION; SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC factors; DENTAL caries; MEDICAL needs assessment; HEALTH planning; EDUCATIONAL attainment
- Publication
Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 2022, Vol 28, Issue 6, p425
- ISSN
1020-3397
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.26719/emhj.22.034