文章基本信息

标题：Oral Health and Self-Perception in the Elderly
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作者：Walda Viana Brígido de Moura 1 , Iris do Ceu Clara Costa 2 , Fábia Barbosa de Andrade 3 , Tainara Lôrena dos Santos Ferreira 3 , Andréa Silvia Walter de Aguiar 1 , Gabriela Eugênio de Sousa Furtado 1 , Maria Eneide Leitão de Almeida
期刊名称：Health
印刷版ISSN：1949-4998
电子版ISSN：1949-5005
出版年度：2014
卷号：06
期号：21
页码：3045-3053
DOI：10.4236/health.2014.621343
语种：English
出版社：Scientific Research Publishing
摘要：Background: Investigating self-perception of oral health among the elderly may contribute towards changing public health and assistance policies in the area. Methods: The present study assessed the oral health status (tooth decay, need for treatment, periodontal status, use of and need for dental prosthesis, soft tissue alterations and self-perception of oral health) of 102 elderly people from two community groups in Fortaleza, Ceará State, Brazil. Results: Mean age was 69.9 years and 82.4% were female. Mean DMFT was 30.17 with a predominant missing component; 63.7% were edentulous. Regarding prosthesis, 29.4% and 67.6% of elderly patients did not use upper and lower dentures respectively, while 66.7% and 78.4% required some type of upper and lower prosthesis respectively. Among valid sextants, 44.3% presented dental calculus and 34.3% presented loss of attachment from 6 to 8 mm. Soft tissue alterations were found in 58.8%. Despite of precarious clinical conditions and dental treatment needs, good oral health perception was found (49%), as well as satisfaction with the appearance of teeth and gums (60.8%). Conclusion: Subjects displayed unsatisfactory oral health conditions, accumulated over time and resulting from the lack of policies favoring this age group. There is a need for oral rehabilitation that enables the recovery of function and esthetics among the elderly, restoring their self-esteem and improving social interaction.
关键词：Oral Health; The Elderly; Epidemiology; Self-Image