Oral status and acceptance of dental services among some elderly persons in Oslo

Oral conditions were studied clinically and radiographically in a group of people aged 67-94 years. The group comprised 70 persons living in an institution for elderly people and 111 persons living in their homes in the surrounding area. The participants were classified according to sex, age and former occupation. The examination was carried out in a dental office established at the institution. 63% of the participants were dentulous with a mean number of 13 teeth. Almost 50% of the teeth were previously restored and 13% of the teeth were decayed at the examination. 45% had complete maxillary dentures and 39% had complete mandibular dentures. The need for dental treatment according to defined criteria was registered, and treatment-offers were given. Comparisons were made between the treatment suggested and the treatment actually given. Of the total group, 129 persons needed dental treatment. Of these, 65 persons accepted all or part of the treatment suggested. In general, sex was not a good predictor of the need for an acceptance of dental services. However, age was found to be useful as a predictor. Social background was an unreliable predictor of the need for and acceptance of dental services.