Abstract:
Abstract
Background:
Focusing 50 year olds and above, this
study assessed the fr
equency, extent and
correlates of tooth loss due to
various reasons. Frequency and co
rrelates of posterior occluding
support was also investigated.
Method:
A cross-sectional
household survey was conducted in
Pwani region and in Dar es Salaam
in 2004/2005. One thousand and thirty-one subjects,
mean age 62.9 years participated in a clinical
examination and completed interviews.
Results:
The prevalence of tooth loss due to any reas
on was 83.5 %, due to caries 63.4% and due
to other reasons than caries, 32.5%. A total of
74.9% had reduced number of posterior occluding
units. Compared to subjects having less than 5 t
eeth lost due to caries, those with 5 or more lost
teeth were more likely to be fema
les, having decayed teeth, conf
irming dental attendance and to
be among the least poor resident
s. Compared to subjects who ha
d lost less than 5 teeth due to
reasons other than caries, those who had lost 5 or
more teeth were more likely to be of higher
age, having mobile teeth, being
males, being very poor and to disconfirm dental attendance when
having problems. Predictors of pr
evalence of tooth loss (1 or more lost tooth) due to various
reasons and reduced number of occluding units
followed similar patte
rns of relationships.
Conclusion:
The results are consistent with prevalence an
d extent of tooth loss due to caries and
due to reasons other than caries being differentl
y related to disease- an
d socio- behavioral risk
indicators. Caries was the prin
ciple cause of tooth loss and
molar teeth were the teeth most
commonly lost.
