Oral health status in 65-74 years old adults in France, 1995

A study was carried out to assess the oral health status of the non-institutionalized population aged 65-74 years and living in the Rhône-Alpes region, France, in 1995.

The representative sample was composed of 603 subjects comprised of 41.5% of men of which 24.5% lived in rural areas--i.e. less than 2,000 inhabitants--and 75.5% of urban areas. The quota sample used was stratified by socio-economic status, residence and gender. Oral health was defined by dentate status, D (Decayed), M (Missing), F (Filled) components and DMFT components. Carious lesions, fillings, missing teeth were recorded using the World Health Organization criteria. An indicator of treatment need--the ratio of decayed teeth over decayed and filled teeth--D/D+F was used.

The DMFT index at 65-74 years for the French population was 23.3 +/- 4.0. The dental condition of the study group in the Rhônes-Alpes region of France appears satisfactory considering the low percentage of untreated decayed teeth at 65-74 years old (17.4%) and the low rate of edentate people (16.3%). Gender, location and socio-economic variables in relation to the dental status were discussed.

The relatively good oral health status of the senior citizens and the low rate of need for treatment of dental decay together with the level of oral care available provided a solid base for further development of a qualitative national dental care system.