Geographic differences in tooth loss and denture-wearing among the elderly in Norway.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of teeth and dentures in individuals aged 67 years and above.

Methods: A representative random sample of 1152 individuals was drawn from 11 of the 19 counties of Norway. In all, 582 subjects were interviewed and examined clinically by the same dentist (BMH) in 1996-99. Fifty-four had died before contact was established, and the response rate was 53%. The mean age of those examined was 76.4 +/- 5.9 years, range 67-99 years.

Results: In all, 40.0% had 'own teeth only', 27.9% 'own teeth and dentures' and 31.6% 'dentures only'. Three participants had neither teeth nor dentures. Interviews with 35 nonparticipants disclosed no statistically significant differences regarding dental/denture status compared to participants. By using stepwise polychotomous logistic regression, three regions of Norway could be identified with respect to the occurrence of teeth and dentures; significant differences existed between them and nonsignificant differences were found within them. In region A (South-East counties including the capital Oslo), region B (West-Central counties), and region C (Northern counties) the prevalence of 'own teeth only', 'own teeth and dentures' and 'dentures only' were 62.0, 26.5 and 11.1% in region A, 27.7, 28.9 and 43.1% in region B and 2.9, 28.6 and 65.7% in region C, respectively. Teeth were observed in 394 individuals, the mean number being 19,15 and 11 in regions A, B and C, respectively (over all mean 17 teeth).

Conclusions: There are large geographical disparities with respect to dental/denture status in Norway. The oral health goals for the year 2000 suggested by WHO/FDI were far from met in large areas of the country at the time when the data were collected, (1996-99).