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Updated: Jun 25, 2025
Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Periodontal Diseases in Adult and Elderly Nigerians: A National Survey
E C Otoh1, O O Taiwo2, O J Majekodunmi3
1Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, College of Medical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (formerly with Basic Science & Research Division, Intercountry Centre for Oral Health (ICOH) for Africa, Jos). E-mail: ecotoh@yahoo.co.uk otohemmanuel@gmail.com, Tel: +234 (0) 8039765419.
Background:
Periodontitis has been shown to have links with general health and increase the risk of complications of some systemic diseases now showing a rising prevalence with age. The rising proportion of the elderly globally, and a high prevalence of periodontal disease among older adults may significantly impact the need for oral health care services in the near future. This national survey was carried out to highlight the trend of periodontal diseases among adult and elderly Nigerians and make evidence-based recommendations for good management outcomes.
Materials And Methods:
A national cross-sectional survey of periodontal diseases (using the CPITN Index) among adult (35-44-year-old) and elderly (65-74-year-old) Nigerians selected by multistage sampling method.
Results:
Periodontal disease is prevalent among adults (96.5%) and elderly (97.6%) Nigerians, with the zonal prevalence approximating the national prevalence. Gingivitis is the prevalent periodontal disease type in these age groups, with a national prevalence of 86.8%, 67.6% respectively, and more in the South than the North for both adults (90.7%, 83%) and elderly (75.7%, 59.7%), respectively (p<0.005). Destructive Periodontitis prevalence in adult and elderly Nigerians is 9.5%, 29.9%, respectively (p<0.05), with the North being more affected than South for both adults (13.4%, 5.6%) and elderly (37%, 22.7%), respectively (p<0.05). There is also a significant rise in the occurrence of destructive periodontitis with age, nationally and in all the zones (p<0.05).
Conclusion:
There is a high prevalence of periodontal diseases in adult and elderly Nigerians. The outcome of the management of periodontal diseases in adults and the elderly is inter-dependent on best practices in both oral and general health care service provision.
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