ORAL HEALTH SITUATION IN ELDER PEOPLE IN GORGAN CITY, 2009

Oral health is an important issue in elders’ life in both food consumption style and their self-esteem. The aim of this study was to survey the oral health among aged people in Gorgan city. In a cross sectional study and through a standard questionnaire, the data of 869 aged people who were resident in the areas where were covered by 4th and 5th Health Station of Gorgan Health Center, has been analyzed. Participants (over 60 years old persons) entered in the study through a census method are asked about their oral health by trained persons. Data analyzed by descriptive statistics and Chi-Square test. Alpha level set at 0.05. Complete toothless was 54.3 percent in male and 62.6 percent in female. Totally teeth preservation rate was 6.4 percent in male and 1.5 percent in female. The mean and standard deviation of tooth loss were 22.5±12.4 in male and 24.4±11.2 in female. The Complete toothless significantly was high in single people compared with married one. Completely toothless was low among aged people with less than or equal to four children and was low among aged people in the worst status of economic situation. Oral health among the study population was in a bad situation. For preservation of teeth till adult age, appropriate planning and interventions is necessary.