Prosthetic Status and Prosthetic Needs of Institutionalized Elderly People in Jodhpur City, Rajasthan, India (original) (raw)

Journal of Advanced Oral Research

Introduction: Common oral health problems in elderly populations include periodontal diseases, dental caries, edentulism, xerostomia, and wasting diseases. Poor oral health and loss of teeth affects dietary intake, nutritional status and also compromise the general health. In this study, the aim was to assess the prosthetic status and prosthetic needs of the institutionalized elderly people in Jodhpur city. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey study of 66 inmates living in an old age home was included. A modified WHO proforma was administered to obtain information. One-way ANOVA was used to identify the association of prosthetic status and needs with sex, chronic diseases, oral hygiene practices, adverse habits, dental visit, duration of stay, education, and source of financial assistance. Results: Among institutionalized elderly people, 11 were wearing partial denture and 9 were having full removable denture. 54 people had edentulous space and were having healthy denture bearing tissues. Upper full prosthesis was required in 19 elderly people while 16 people required lower full prosthesis. Age, chronic diseases, oral hygiene practices, adverse habit, dental visit, duration of living, education status, source of financial assistance were found to be significantly associated with prosthetic status and needs. Conclusion: The oral health of institutionalized elderly people in Jodhpur is poor. Study findings contribute to the need for continued dental care.