[Self-evaluation of dental health by elderly people. Functional and psychosocial problems]

The purpose of the study was to establish personal estimation of population over 60 years of age of their dental health. The study was performed in 1999 and included 497 persons--206 male and 291 female. The results show that disorders in biting, chewing and taking solid food begin with the loss of 4-6 teeth. Disorders in speech start after the loss of 7 and more teeth. In case of 20 and more retained teeth, considerable part of persons do not feel disorders in main functions of chewing system. In case of acceptable shortened dental arches (missing some of all of the molars and retained all the rest teeth of dentition), together with lack of serious functional disorders, all persons with such status give good or satisfying self-rating of oral health.