How dental conditions handicap the elderly

Abstract

A sociodental investigation was carried out among 254 elderly people living at home in Nottinghamshire. The aim of the inquiry was to ascertain whether this group of people were handicapped by their dental conditions. The dental status of the sample was generally poor. 74% were edentulous and the condition of the full dentures worn by many of the subjects was unsatisfactory. A high proportion (59%) of the subjects had lesions of the oral mucosa. Many members of the sample were orally handicapped, either functionally or socially. 32% complained of oral pain and 30% claimed to have difficulty chewing. Also, subjects were embarrassed by the appearance of their teeth and by their dentures dropping during social contact. The perception of handicap, however, was not strongly related to dental status.

Oral disorders and treatment implications in people over 75 years

“…The edentulous rate was similar to that reported from older people under 75 yr in most other parts of Britain (17). Moreover, the prevalence of mucosai lesions corresponds with observations among younger populations (6,7). RISE & HELOE (18), using similar criteria to assess the quality of dentures, found the same widespread use of unhygienic and defective dentures among a geriatric population in Norway.…”

Oral disorders and treatment implications in people over 75 years

“…The edentulous rate was similar to that reported from older people under 75 yr in most other parts of Britain (17). Moreover, the prevalence of mucosai lesions corresponds with observations among younger populations (6,7). RISE & HELOE (18), using similar criteria to assess the quality of dentures, found the same widespread use of unhygienic and defective dentures among a geriatric population in Norway.…”

A general dental practice research network: impact of oral health in general dental practice patients

“…10 The finding that chewing difficulties are predicated mainly in the older (and denture wearing) patients accords with findings in other studies. 11,12 Similarly, Macfarlane et al 13 have previously reported that, as in this study, older patients report less pain and less concern with regard to oro-facial pain. This finding may be due to an age cohort effect, in that older generations have lower expectations and a generally more stoical and uncomplaining outlook.…”

Oral mucosal conditions in elderly dental patients

“…The incidence of oral mucosal conditions in the elderly subjects who participated in this study (83.6%) is much higher than the results of other epidemiological studies, where investigators recorded a prevalence of 12–60% (Smith and Sheiham, 1979; Hand and Whithill, 1986; Jorge et al, 1991; Thomson, Brown and Williams , 1992; Taiyeb et al, 1995; Lin et al, 2001). These variations may be from differences in the subjects studied and the types of oral mucosal conditions included.…”

Oral disorders and treatment implications in people over 75 years

“…The edentulous rate was similar to that reported from older people under 75 yr in most other parts of Britain (17). Moreover, the prevalence of mucosai lesions corresponds with observations among younger populations (6,7). RISE & HELOE (18), using similar criteria to assess the quality of dentures, found the same widespread use of unhygienic and defective dentures among a geriatric population in Norway.…”

A general dental practice research network: impact of oral health in general dental practice patients

“…10 The finding that chewing difficulties are predicated mainly in the older (and denture wearing) patients accords with findings in other studies. 11,12 Similarly, Macfarlane et al 13 have previously reported that, as in this study, older patients report less pain and less concern with regard to oro-facial pain. This finding may be due to an age cohort effect, in that older generations have lower expectations and a generally more stoical and uncomplaining outlook.…”

Oral mucosal conditions in elderly dental patients

“…The incidence of oral mucosal conditions in the elderly subjects who participated in this study (83.6%) is much higher than the results of other epidemiological studies, where investigators recorded a prevalence of 12–60% (Smith and Sheiham, 1979; Hand and Whithill, 1986; Jorge et al, 1991; Thomson, Brown and Williams , 1992; Taiyeb et al, 1995; Lin et al, 2001). These variations may be from differences in the subjects studied and the types of oral mucosal conditions included.…”

Oral disorders and treatment implications in people over 75 years

“…The edentulous rate was similar to that reported from older people under 75 yr in most other parts of Britain (17). Moreover, the prevalence of mucosai lesions corresponds with observations among younger populations (6,7). RISE & HELOE (18), using similar criteria to assess the quality of dentures, found the same widespread use of unhygienic and defective dentures among a geriatric population in Norway.…”

A general dental practice research network: impact of oral health in general dental practice patients

“…10 The finding that chewing difficulties are predicated mainly in the older (and denture wearing) patients accords with findings in other studies. 11,12 Similarly, Macfarlane et al 13 have previously reported that, as in this study, older patients report less pain and less concern with regard to oro-facial pain. This finding may be due to an age cohort effect, in that older generations have lower expectations and a generally more stoical and uncomplaining outlook.…”

Oral mucosal conditions in elderly dental patients

“…The incidence of oral mucosal conditions in the elderly subjects who participated in this study (83.6%) is much higher than the results of other epidemiological studies, where investigators recorded a prevalence of 12–60% (Smith and Sheiham, 1979; Hand and Whithill, 1986; Jorge et al, 1991; Thomson, Brown and Williams , 1992; Taiyeb et al, 1995; Lin et al, 2001). These variations may be from differences in the subjects studied and the types of oral mucosal conditions included.…”