Does dental care improve the oral health of older adults?

To assess the relationship between self-perceived change in oral health status and the provision of dental treatment in an older adult population.

A longitudinal study with data collection at baseline and after three years. Information on change in oral health was obtained by interviews with study subjects and information on dental treatment over three years was obtained from subjects' dentists.

Nine hundred and seven subjects took part at baseline and 611 at follow-up. Of the latter, 495 reported at least one dental visit during the three-year observation period and dental treatment information was available for 408. Outcome measures Global transition judgements and change scores derived from four oral health indexes were used to assess change in oral health status.

Over the three-year period, one-tenth of subjects reported that their oral health had improved and one-fifth that it had deteriorated. Those who improved made significantly more dental visits and received significantly more dental services that those who deteriorated or did not change (P<0.0001). They also received a broader range of diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic services. The association between change and dental service provision remained after controlling for other potential determinants of oral health.

The study suggests that improvements in the oral health of older adults depend upon access to comprehensive dental treatments which can address fully their clinical and self-perceived needs.