Dental Health Issues in Elderly

Dr.Imran Mohammed Khan, M.D.S. completed his Post graduation in the Dept.of Public Health Dentistry from The Oxford Dental College,Hospital & Research Center,India. He has conducted various Studies in Geriatric Dental Health & Forensic Odontology and is presently working as an Asst.Prof in Teerthankar Mahaveer Dental College & Research center,India

To Determine the Dental Health Status and Treatment Needs Among Geriatric Population of India. Little is known about Dental Health Problems of Elderly living in the Institutions. A Total of 1536 Elderly were recruited in the study with Mean age for Females 77.7 ± 7.22 years and for Males 75.7 yrs ± 5.24 years. Clinical examinations were according to WHO criteria. Dental caries, Dental status and related Treatment Needs were assessed. Mean Decayed Missing Filled Teeth (DMFT) per person were found to be 22.8. With respect to Prosthetic Status, Number & Percentage of subjects with Full Prosthesis were 7.3% in Upper and 13.7% in Lower Jaw, Partial Denture were seen in 12.43% in Upper and 12.83% in Lower Jaw. With respect to Prosthetic Needs, Number and Percentage of subjects requiring both Upper and Lower Full Prosthesis were 23.6% Elderly.The results illustrated Poor Dental Health and showed Extremely High Demand for the Dental Health Services programmes for the Elderly Population.