Assessing the oral health condition of elderly individuals with alzheimer disease

Aim: Comparing the oral health condition of elderly individuals diagnosed or not with Alzheimer Disease (AD), based on the DMFT index. Methods: Descriptive and comparative study conducted with a convenience sample comprising 15 elderly individuals with AD and 25 without the disease, in the age group 60-85 years. Participants’ general data and health information were collected through the analysis of medical records and interviews. Their oral condition was analyzed based on the DMFT index, by taking into account the use of dental prostheses. ANOVA test was used to compare DMFT means between groups; Bonferroni adjustment was used, whenever necessary. Results: High mean DMFT values were recorded for elderly individuals with AD and individuals without the disease - 21.73 and 25.48, respectively. The difference in DMFT values between groups was statistically significant based on adjustments in the effects of participants’ income and schooling (p = 0.0351). The M component (missing teeth) prevailed among elderly individuals without AD, which indicated larger number of fully edentulous individuals in this group. However, the frequency of prosthesis use was similar among elderly individuals with AD and individuals without the disease. High blood pressure was the most prevalent disease in both groups. Conclusion: High DMFT values recorded for elderly individuals with AD and individuals without the disease reflect the prior history of tooth loss in society. Socioeconomic factors interfered in the prevalence and distribution of DMFT components among elderly individuals with AD and individuals without the disease.