THE ORAL HEALTH-STATUS, DENTAL NEEDS AND FACTORS AFFECTING UTILIZATION OF DENTAL SERVICES IN ASIANS AGED 55 YEARS AND OVER, RESIDENT IN SOUTHAMPTON

A socio-dental investigation was carried out in Southampton among 195 Asians of Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi origin, aged 55 years and over, in order to assess their oral health status and identify factors which might affect their uptake of dental services. The majority of subjects (70%) were dentate; 69% were in need of periodontal treatment and 29% required extractions due to advanced periodontal involvement. Despite the fact that many subjects held positive attitudes towards dental health, less than 15% attended the dentist on a regular basis. The remaining subjects felt that it was not necessary to do so unless they were in pain or required new dentures.