Oral Health of Older Patients in Dental Practice: An Exploratory Study

BACKGROUND: Some older people stop visiting the dentist when they get older. This study aims to identify the characteristics and oral health status of older people who do visit community dental practices.

METHODS: In this exploratory cross-sectional study, the oral health of Dutch community-dwelling older people was assessed. A random sample of general dental practitioners and older people who visit the dental practice was drawn. The dentists were asked to prospectively select one older patient and describe this patient using a specially developed registration form; the patient was requested to complete a questionnaire. Data were described for 3 distinct groups of older people. Statistical measures for distribution and dispersion were used to describe the oral health of community-dwelling older patients in relation to the age.

RESULTS: A total of 373 (40.4%) dentist registration forms and 372 (40.3%) patient questionnaires were returned. Data were available for 364 (39.4%) dentist-patient couples. Amongst the patients, 52.8% were female and most had a high socioeconomic status. About 65.7% had one or more problems related to general health, and 75.2% used medication. Regarding the overall oral health status, the average number of teeth was 20, 3.5% were edentulous. Oral health problems were more common in the older patient group (aged 75+), in whom frailty was also most common.

CONCLUSIONS: Older people who visit community dental practices are still relatively healthy, non-frail, and highly educated. Even in this group, there is a turning point in both general and oral health from the age of 75.