Patterns of dental caries and treatment experience in elderly Lithuanians.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate patterns of caries experience in a representative sample of Lithuanians, aged 65-74.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 301 participants (response rate 54%). Information was obtained from a clinical examination (caries experience, stimulated salivary flow rates and oral hygiene levels) and a questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised questions about oral, general, physical, mental and social health and about background, knowledge, attitudes and lifestyle. The study had a multidimensional approach to negative consequences of disease and positive aspects of health. For bivariate testing, t-test, ANOVA and Spearman's correlation were used. Factor analysis was combined with linear multiple regression for a multivariate study of caries experience patterns.

Results: Elderly Lithuanians were found to have lower levels of edentulousness (range 11-15%) than elderly people in other European countries. The mean number of missing teeth was also lower than in any of the neighbouring countries. A comparison of dentate and edentulous groups did not show any major differences. Those who reported that they had general disease had higher levels of oral health maintenance. In dentate elderly, caries experience differed according to place of residence, fluoride content in the drinking water, socioeconomic status, gender, lifestyle, and many other factors. The multivariate approach explained 52%, 61% and 55% of the variation in the number of filled or sound teeth (FS-T), decayed (DT) and missing teeth (MT) respectively.

Conclusion: Levels of oral health maintenance and caries experience show substantial variation among elderly Lithuanians, according to many health-related characteristics. These elderly people require appropriate oral care, just as much as people in other population sub-groups.