Oral health and self-perception in adults and the elderly in Piracicaba, SP

Abstract

This study investigated the oral health conditions, socioeconomic status, access to dental care and self-perception in oral health among elderly and adults from the city of Piracicaba (SP). The sample comprised 23 elderly individuals (65 to 74 years) and 54 adults (35 to 44 years). Examinations were performed at their homes, following the criteria of the World Health Organization. Edentulism was observed in 52.2% of the elderly and 2.0% of adults, and the mean number of present teeth was 6.9 and 20.7, respectively. The elderly individuals presented DMFT of 27.0 and the adults 19.9. The most frequent component of the DMFT index was missing teeth for the elderly (92.3%) and adults (52%). Concerning the need of complete dentures, only 5.6% of the adults needed maxillary prostheses and there was no need of mandibular prostheses, whereas among the elderly 17.4% needed maxillary prostheses and 21.7% required mandibular prostheses. With regard to the other results (socioeconomic characteristics, access to dental care and self-perception), there was difference between groups only for the educational level, being that adults presented the best conditions. Self-perception was similar for both groups, with positive data, despite the different clinical conditions. Considering these results, there is the need of preventive and educational programs for both elderly and adults, so that the adults may be elderly individuals with better oral health status than the present.