%0 Journal Article
%T Oral Health and Self-Perception in the Elderly
%A Walda Viana Br¨ªgido de Moura
%A Iris do Ceu Clara Costa
%A F¨¢bia Barbosa de Andrade
%A Tainara L£¿rena dos Santos Ferreira
%A Andr¨¦a Silvia Walter de Aguiar
%A Gabriela Eug¨ºnio de Sousa Furtado
%A Maria Eneide Leit£¿o de Almeida
%J Health
%P 3045-3053
%@ 1949-5005
%D 2014
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/health.2014.621343
%X 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, Cear¨¢ 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.
%K Oral Health
%K The Elderly
%K Epidemiology
%K Self-Image
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=52782