Oral health may have an impact on general health with clinical implications.

To assess association of oral health with systemic diseases in the elderly.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 232 elderly subjects (above 50 years) who visited the geriatric medicine OPD at Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh. Oral examination was conducted using the WHO Oral Assessment Form (1997). Written informed consent was taken. Patients were grouped according to their systemic health into six groups: Healthy elderly (group 1), hypertension and coronary artery disease (group 2), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (group 3), diabetes (group 4), diabetes and hypertension (group 5) and hypertension (group 6).

Average DMFT for coronal caries in the six groups was 23.8, 21.24, 22.15, 22.58, 17.83, 22.22 respectively and root caries 22.04, 18.05, 19.46, 14.90, 14.75, 18.62. Periodontal status was assessed by recording the CPI score and attachment loss. Chi-square test was applied, a significantly (p < 0.05) higher CPI score was recorded for groups 2, 3, 6 compared to group 1 while attachment loss was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in diabetics (group 4) compared to group 1. Applying the Z-test for proportions a significantly (p < 0.05) higher number of group 1 edentulous subjects were using upper/lower complete dentures as compared to groups 4 and 5.

Findings of this study indicate an inverse relationship of periodontal health with systemic diseases in the selected sample but further research is needed with larger sample to authenticate the results.

Talwar M, Malik G, Sharma S, Sachdev A, Chaudhry K. Association of Oral Health and Systemic Diseases in the Elderly. Int J Experiment Dent Sci 2013;2(1): 9-13.