Oral health and medical status in dentate low-income older persons

Oral and medical conditions of 295 low-income dentate older persons (17% African-Americans, 14.5% Asians, 11.5% Hispanics, and 57% Caucasians) were studied. The mean age was 72 (SD +/- 6.8; range, 60-91). Oral examinations were performed, stimulated saliva was collected, and interviews were conducted regarding oral health attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors. Past history of restorative care, defined by filled coronal surfaces, differed by ethnicity, with Caucasian elders having most filled surfaces (p < 0.001). Ethnic minority elders had significantly poorer periodontal health (p < 0.001), with the worst conditions in Asians. Low salivary flow (< 0.01 mL/min) was found in 31% using medications known to cause hyposalivation. Frequent diseases were arthritis (46%), hypertension (39%), heart disease (25.2%), and diabetes (8.5%). Hypothyroidism was associated with low flow rate (F = 13.2, p < 0.0003). Seventy percent reported that they had never smoked. Smokers had deeper probing depths (chi 2 = 11.98, p < 0.05) and more gingival recession (F = 8.08, p < 0.001). Women on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) had less calculus (F = 11.33, p < 0.01) and fewer sites with probing depths > 5 mm (F = 8.99, p < 0.003). The present study found few associations between physical and oral health and ethnicity. The benefits of HRT for women's periodontal health and the effects of hypothyroidism on stimulated salivary flow are noteworthy.