OBJECTIVE: To verify dental and periodontal status, use and need of prosthesis and the presence of oral mucosal lesions associated with prosthesis use in community-dwelling elderly in Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. METHODS: Cross-sectional study, with data collected during home visits through interviews and oral exams in functionally independent elderly people (60 to 74 years-old). RESULTS: The 267 elderly participants had a mean age of 66.5 years, 59.2% had never studied or had less than 4 years of education and 59.9% were women. The decayed, missed and filled teeth index was 27.9, with a higher share of missing components (85.9%). The average of present teeth in women (5.7 teeth) was lower than in men (11.6 teeth) (p<0.01). Edentation was detected in 43.1% of the elderly participants, and the presence of at least 20 natural teeth was observed, respectively, in just 8.8% and 28% of elderly women and men (p<0.01). In the 408 sextants in which periodontal evaluation was possible, 49.2% had periodontal pockets. The need for upper and lower prosthesis was observed in 19.1% and 45.7% of the elderly, respectively. Oral mucosal lesions associated with prosthetic use were observed in 40.7% of the 204 users. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the group of community-dwelling elderly analyzed presents high prevalence of oral problems that need treatment, with differences between men and women. There is also a need for oral health programs that meet the specific needs of the elderly population.
Aging health; Geriatric dentistry; Dental health surveys
