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Active and inactive caries lesions in a selected elderly institutionalised French population
C Guivante-Nabet1, J C Tavernier, M Trevoux
1Faculté de Chirurgie Dentaire (Paris V), Montrouge, France.
International Dental Journal
|October 21, 1998
Summary
Elderly French individuals in geriatric care show high rates of active root caries and extensive tooth destruction. Salivary flow and buffer capacity were linked to caries prevalence, highlighting significant dental treatment needs.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Dentistry
- Oral Epidemiology
- Dental Public Health
Background:
- Caries is highly prevalent in geriatric populations.
- Dental status and salivary parameters in institutionalized elderly French subjects require evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the dental status and salivary parameters of institutionalized elderly French individuals.
- To identify critical dental treatment needs in this population.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated 117 non-demented, non-edentulous subjects (mean age 83.0 years).
- Recorded crown and root caries on 17,442 tooth surfaces using a modified caries activity index.
- Assessed stimulated salivary flow rate and buffer capacity.
Main Results:
- A high percentage of unsound root surfaces (31.2%) showed active lesions with few filled surfaces (4.5%).
- 8.3% of examined surfaces on crowns and roots were destroyed.
- Stimulated salivary flow rate correlated with crown caries, and buffer capacity with root caries.
Conclusions:
- Significant dental treatment needs exist in French geriatric institutions.
- Findings may differ from other populations due to French specificities in oral health or care policies.
- The very old age of the population may also contribute to the observed dental status.