Sonam Ngedup¹ and Dorji Phurpa²

¹Pedodontist, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH), Thimphu, Bhutan
²Dental Hygienist, JDWNRH, Thimphu, Bhutan

*Corresponding Author: Sonam Ngedup, Pedodontist, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH), Thimphu, Bhutan.

Received: February 10, 2025; Published: February 28, 2025

Abstract

Background : Oral health is a fundamental component of general health and well-being. As individuals become older, their oral health conditions and needs become more complex and multifaceted due to physiological changes with possible influences from personal habits and their surroundings.

Aim and Objectives: This study aimed to determine the oral health status among the elderly population that determines oral-related diseases and some factors for the same.

Methods and Materials: The data for this study was retrieved from the screening program conducted at Changlingmethang Park in Thimphu in 2022. The modified Kayser-Jones – Elderly Oral Health Assessment form was used for the clinical assessments. Information on sociodemographic, dental caries, periodontal diseases and oral mucosal conditions, edentulism and use of dental prostheses were recorded.

Result: Among the 276 elderly participants, age groups 65 -74 years had the highest representation. The subjects decreased with an increase in age. More than 55% of the elderly had decayed teeth and nearly 60% with periodontal diseases. More than 83% of the elderly had > 1 missing teeth (nearly 39% with 12 or more pairs of functional teeth). Females had fewer prosthetic devices for lost teeth. The participants who needed extraction, filling and oral prophylaxis comprised greater than 68%. Overall, males exhibited poorer oral health than females.

Conclusion: The elderly in Thimphu city presented with a high prevalence of dental caries and less functional teeth with fewer subjects using prosthetic appliances. A very significant finding among the majority was low oral health awareness.

Keywords: Dental Caries; Dental Prosthesis; Elderly; Oral Health; Oral Hygiene; Periodontal Diseases

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Citation

Citation: Sonam Ngedup and Dorji Phurpa. “Oral Health Status Among Elderly Population in Thimphu City, Bhutan-2022".Acta Scientific Dental Sciences 9.3 (2025): 76-81.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2025 Sonam Ngedup and Dorji Phurpa. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.