December 2011

Volume 28, Issue 4

Is the shortened dental arch an underused treatment strategy in the Republic of Ireland?

Authors: H. Guiney G. McKenna H. Whelton D. O’Mullane
doi: 10.1922/CDH_2579Guiney04

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the proportion of Republic of Ireland 35-44 and 65+ year-olds currently satisfying the criteria for a classic shortened dental arch (SDA) of 20 anterior teeth. Research Design: Secondary analysis of data collected in the 2000/02 epidemiological survey of the oral health of Irish adults. Clinical setting: Participants underwent a clinical oral examination in health board dental clinics and completed a detailed interview pertaining to dental and general health. Participants: The analysis is based on a random sample of adults, aged 35 to 44 years (n=978), and 65 years and older (n=714). Main outcome measures: The SDA was measured as 20 teeth in the mouth in the positions normally described as from the left second premolar to the right second premolar in each arch. Results: Only one of the 35-44 year-olds and none of the 65+ year-olds had teeth in their mouths in positions normally described as a classic SDA. However, of the 35-44 year old age group only five patients who had at least a premolar dentition of 20 contiguous teeth had been provided with a removable denture compared to one patient from the 65+ years group. Conclusions: Very few older patients in the Republic of Ireland have a SDA based on the measure used. However, very few have been provided with removable dentures where they already possess at least a premolar dentition of 20 contiguous teeth. Suggested reasons for this may include limitations of the data recorded, patient preferences and economic factors. Keywords: shortened dental arch, dentures, edentulous, older adults, partially dentate

Download

Other articles in this issue

Article Pages Access
Editorial - Early Childhood Caries: a complex problem requiring a complex intervention 254-254 Download
Why has oral health promotion and prevention failed children requiring general anaesthesia for dental extractions? 255-258 Download
The relationship between dental care and perceived oral health impacts 259-264 Download
Is the shortened dental arch an underused treatment strategy in the Republic of Ireland? 265-268 Download
Predictors of utilisation of dental care services in a nationally representative sample of adults 269-273 Download
Applicability of both dentist and patient perceptions of dentists’ explanations to the evaluation of dentist–patient communication 274-279 Download
Oral health behaviour of urban and semi-urban schoolchildren in the Lao PDR 280-285 Download
Evaluation of a preventive program based on caries risk among mentally challenged children using the Cariogram model 286-291 Download
The effect of a modified fluoride toothpaste technique on buccal enamel caries in adults with high caries prevalence: a 2-year clinical trial 292-296 Download
Association of clinical oral health status with self-rated oral health and GOHAI in Japanese adults 297-300 Download
Prevalence of periodontopathogens in a black Brazilian secluded community matched with a black urban population 301-304 Download
Association of pulp stones with coronary artery stenosis 305-307 Download
Incisor trauma in a Turkish preschool population: Prevalence and socio-economic risk factors 308-312 Download
Malocclusion and orthodontic treatment need measured by the Dental Aesthetic Index and its association with dental caries in Indian schoolchildren 313-316 Download

Subscribe

Online (Single user only)
£150
Institution Online (IP address validation)
£250

Back issues may be obtained from the publisher

Consider recommending subscription to your institution's library

You can view Open Access papers without a subscription.