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Volume 8 Issue 11 (November, 2020)

Original Articles

Periodontal oral health in geriatric patients- An observational study
Dr. Shipra Sepolia, Dr. Parul Verma

Background: Oral disease conditions, for example, dental caries, periodontal disease, and loss of teeth are chronic as well as cumulative in nature. Oral health status may get worsened as people become aged. Few of the diseases affecting the general health may lead to an increase in the risk of development of oral diseases like- dry mouth or xerostomia and alterations in the sensation of taste and few treatments that are followed may additionally result in complications affecting teeth. Loss of teeth may be the chronological outcome of these oral diseases among the geriatric population and may result in masticatory difficulties along with esthetic problems. In severe disease, difficulties in mastication may affect nutritional status leading to the development of debilitating states. Old-aged individuals form an increasing size of the population. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the periodontal oral health in the geriatric population. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional and observational analysis was performed on geriatric patients aged 60 years and above using convenient sampling. Obtained clinical data consisted of a questionnaire and clinical observations by recording Decayed, Missing, Filled index, and Community Periodontal index for assessment of dental caries and periodontal disease health. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Software for Social Sciences) version XVII statistical software. Results: Significant differences were observed in comparing age-groups and gender distribution. Extreme significance was seen between education levels while significant association in diseases such as diabetes, hypertensive states, and other co-morbidities. Dental caries and periodontal diseases (chronic periodontitis) or missing teeth demonstrated significant influence over the psychological health of an individual. A high prevalence of dental caries was found (83.1%). Similar results were seen for periodontal health as well. Conclusion: There is a significant increase in periodontal diseases among geriatric subjects related to disease progression. Keywords: Geriatric, periodontal, oral, health.

 
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