Optimal Oral Health among Institutionalized Elderly in Republic of N. Macedonia

Having at least twenty teeth that are able to chew and speak properly, and also look good, is considered as optimal oral health. However, a major flaw in this definition is that having twenty teeth, without specific details about their location, might not be enough for good chewing and could also not ensure the patient is happy with how they look or sound. Additionally, having this number of teeth in the mouth might be enough for good appearance and sound, particularly if the remaining teeth are in the front, and the need for good chewing might not be as strict. Considering the large number of institutionalized elderly people who have a big number of extracted teeth, we set the main goal - to assess the presence of optimal oral health among institutionalized elderly people in the Republic of North Macedonia.
The total number of subjects in this study was 118 and all of the included subjects were institutionalized elderly people over 65 years-old in three long-term care institutions. For each of the subjects, the number of remaining teeth and DMF index were assessed.
2.61% of the elderly subjects have more than 20 or more, which can be considered indicative of optimal oral health. 41.74% of the elderly subjects had total tooth loss. The average number of teeth observed in individuals was 6.26 ± 3.9. No participant in the study reported the presence of all natural teeth. The calculated mean value for the DMFT index ranges from 25.48 ± 8.65.
In conclusion, the neglect of oral health among the elderly, particularly those in long-term care facilities, poses a significant risk to their overall health and quality of life. By recognizing the interconnectedness of oral health and systemic health, stakeholders can work towards improving care practices and ensuring that oral hygiene is given the attention that deserves in the comprehensive care in vulnerable populations such as the institutionalized elderly.