Oral health in institutionalized elderly people in 1993 compared with in 1980

The dental and periodontal status, oral hygiene, and dental visit habits of 250 residents in long-term care (LTC) facilities for the elderly in a suburban community in Norway were recorded. The findings were compared with the data from an identical examination of the residents in the same LTC facilities in 1980. In 1993 the mean number of remaining teeth per person was 11.7 (CI = 10.3 - 13.1). The mean number of filled teeth was 5.1 (CI = 4.1 - 6.0), and the mean number of decayed teeth was 1.8 (CI = 1.4 - 2.2). The mean number of residual roots per person was 0.8 (CI = 0.5 - 1.1). Periodontal pockets exceeding 4 mm was recorded on 5% of all teeth. In general, the oral hygiene was poor. Edentulousness had decreased from 80% in 1980 to 54% in 1993, and more remaining and filled teeth and fewer residual roots per person were observed in the 1993 population. The findings show that the objective need for resources to prevent periodontal disease and caries among elderly patients in LTC facilities today is higher than previously.