Oral Status and Prosthetic Treatment Needs in Functionally Impaired and Elderly Individuals

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to describe the oral status and prosthetic treatment needs of dependent, functionally impaired individuals and dependent elderly individuals in comparison with the general population.

A total of 355 subjects, sampled from the register of increased financial support for dependent and functionally impaired individuals in the north of Sweden, were examined. The variables were number of teeth, Eichner Index, type and condition of prostheses, and treatment needs. Statistical analyses were carried out using an independent samples t test for means and chi-square tests for proportions. Comparisons were made with the results of an earlier study (EPI-Norr) of 908 patients from the general population in the same county.

The study group had fewer teeth compared with the general population (20% edentulous in the study group vs 7% in the general population; P < .001), as well as more dentures and fewer tooth- and implant-supported prostheses. A total of 42% of the dentures in the maxilla and 51% of the dentures in the mandible were in poor condition. There was no difference in complications from dental implants between the groups.

Since the Swedish system for financial support enables dental care to the patient groups in question, the situation is probably better in Sweden than in many other countries. As more accentuated differences can be assumed between these population groups in other countries, these findings are also interesting from an international perspective.