Oral Manifestations in Geriatric Patients: An Observational Study in Western Maharashtra

Objective The current study aims to assess various oral changes and associated systemic diseases in geriatric patients. Methodology A prospective, observational study was conducted among geriatric patients visiting the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology School of Dental Sciences, Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth (KVV), Karad. A total of 100 patients aged 60 and above were screened. The study was conducted over a six-month period, from January 2024 to June 2024. Data recorded in a clinical proforma included essential demographic information such as age and gender, personal habits like smoking and alcohol, and medical history. All the patients were clinically examined under standard conditions, utilizing a mouth mirror, probe, explorer, and retractors under proper illumination. Hard tissue findings, including caries, fractures, restorations, and periodontal conditions, were meticulously documented, while soft tissue findings included evaluations of the gums and oral mucosa for lesions. The oral mucosal examination was done using the World Health Organization (WHO) guide. Histopathologic examination was done in relevant cases to confirm the final diagnosis. Data entry was done using SPSS (17.0 version) Java (TM) Platform SE binary (IBM Corp, London, UK) for Windows. To check the association between data, the chi-square test was applied. Results Out of 100 elderly patients, 57 were males and 43 were females. Hypertension was identified as the most prevalent condition, affecting 32% of patients. Tobacco consumption was most commonly reported among males, affecting 49% of the patients. Prevalent hard tissue oral manifestations were periodontitis (29.5%) followed by partial edentulism (27%), dental caries (25.5%), wasting diseases (15.5%), and complete edentulism (2.5%), while soft tissue findings were gingivitis (46.7%) followed by oral cancer (28.5%), leukoplakia (7.1%), candidiasis (7.1%), lichen planus (7.1%), and irritational fibroma (3.5%). Conclusion The most prevalent hard tissue finding was periodontitis, while the most common soft tissue finding was gingivitis, followed by oral cancer. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to tobacco use, vitamin deficiencies, and stress, emphasizing the need for appropriate care. It is crucial to implement programs aimed at enhancing both general and oral health in the geriatric population.