[Studies on the oral health status of elderly and old people in a rural district]

There is reported on an epidemiological study to estimate the gerostomatological treatment need by examining in a rural district all people older than 55 years. The studies were carried out in compliance with the WHO-Basic Methods for oral health services. The results demonstrate that the oral health status of the old people is determined by loss of teeth and its functional consequences. Caries, diseases of the oral mucosa and TMJ-disorders are unimportant in the epidemiological point of view. The condition of porsthetic treatment is quantitative satisfactory in the age-groups up to 75 years.