[Oral health of community-living elderly. 1. Condition of teeth, use of professional dental care and oral hygiene habits].

With the aim to get information on oral health, professional dental care and oral hygiene habits a study was performed on persons aged 60 up to 79 years in Haarlem, the Netherlands. After an interview an oral examination was performed, using a mirror and a pocket lamp. Of all persons approached, 376 (38%) participated in the clinical part of the study. In elderly persons with natural teeth (52% of all participants) the mean numbers of present teeth (third molars excluded), FT and obvious DT were 18.1, 10.8 and 0.7 respectively. The percentage of persons with natural teeth showed a strong relationship with level of education. A comparison with results of a study performed in 1986 showed that oral health in elderly persons is improved. Of all the elderly with natural teeth 91% visited their dentist periodically at least one time a year and 76% of them brushed their teeth at least two times a day.