Resumo

BARBOSA, Kevan Guilherme Nóbrega. Status of oral health in elderly: a review of brazilian reality. Odontol. Clín.-Cient. (Online) [online]. 2011, vol.10, n.3, pp. 221-225. ISSN 1677-3888.

Brazil is on a phase that there is a great progress in the proportion of the elderly population, and this is made in an accelerated way, as in other developing countries. The relative subjects to the binomial health-disease appear as a true challenge to the cares with the health, not forgetting the oral conditions. In this aspect, the present article accomplishes a revision about the conditions of oral health in elderly, looking for to understand the current situation in Brazil. A bibliographical research was accomplished in primary, secondary sources and databases. The national epidemiological study (SB Brazil 2003) showed a high percentage on use of prosthesis in the upper arch (66,54%) and necessity of using prosthesis in the lower jaw (56,06%), and a mean DMFT for the country 27,79. The results of the studies analyzed were: edentulous, prosthesis use, need of the prosthesis use, alterations periodontal and high index of DMTF. It was found that the oral health status on elderly is poor. Thus, it is needed programs aimed at seniors and adequate training of professionals for this population.

Palavras-chave : Oral health; Geriatric Dentistry; Health of the Elderly..