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Background:It is very important for dentists to be familiar with anomalies of teeth not only for the clinical complications but also their management. Taurodontism also provides a valuable clue in detecting its association with various syndromes and other systemic conditions. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of Taurodont molars among a North Indian population.Materials and Methods:A total of 1000 patients’ full-mouth periapical radiographs were screened. The radiographs were evaluated under optimal conditions using double magnifying glasses. A total of 7615 molars (including third molars) were evaluated. The relative incidence and the correlations regarding the location of Taurodont teeth (right versus left side and maxillary versus mandibular) were analyzed using the Chi-square test.Results:Twenty-eight patients were found to have a Taurodont molar (11 women and 17 men [P = 0.250]). The prevalence of Taurodont molar was 2.8%. Males had a higher prevalence rate than females (3.4% vs. 2.2%, respectively). A cluster analysis of total Taurodonts in the mandible (45%) versus maxilla (55%) of both males and females combined showed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05).Conclusion:The occurrence of Taurodontism is basically based on racial expression in different populations. These variations in prevalence between different populations may be due to ethnic variations. The occurrence of Taurodont molars among this Indian population was rare.

Objective:This paper presents an approach to the assessment of oral health needs of elderly and barriers to receive oral care in the life course.Background:The dental needs of the elderly are changing and growing day by day. The management of older patients requires not only an understanding of the medical and dental aspects of ageing but also provide them good oral health service. In the life course of elderly there are many hurdles to receive proper oral care. The use of an assessment of oral health need will be essential in the development of care pathways to the elderly.Methods:The proportion of older people is growing faster than that of any other age group. There is no sound database regarding the oral disease burden and treatment needs of the elderly in India. Physical and biological barriers with age can also affect oral health care either directly or indirectly.Conclusion:Oral care guidelines designed to assist elderly should consider not only prevention and treatment modalities but also the means of implementing such therapies in varying settings and utilizing the whole dental team.