High prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in elderly: Call for revolutionizing geriatric dental care strategies

Context: World'spopulation is ageing and increase in geriatric population demands improved oral health care. Previous epidemiologic studies in general population of India and particularly in Kerala (state with maximum proportion of elderly) provided very little information about oral mucosal lesions in elderly. Aims: To find out the prevalence, pattern and distribution of oral mucosal lesions in geriatric patients and to explore their association with different study variables. Settings and Design: A descriptive, hospital-based, cross sectional study was conducted for a period of 9 months in the out-patient clinic, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Government Dental College, Kozhikode (tertiary healthcare centre in Kerala, India). Methods and Materials: Participants aged 60 and above were selected by consecutive sampling. Data were collected through clinical examination and by using a structured proforma.Statistical Analysis Used: Descriptive statistics with tests of significance of associations were done. Results: The geriatric population (N=750, 66.89 +/- 6.07, M: F=1.4:1), was recruited by screening 43,180, and 447 (67.29 +/- 6.15, M: F=2:1) were identified having oral mucosal lesions withprevalence of 59.6% (95% CI=56.05-63.05). Most common lesion group was red and white (73.2%), followed by pigmented (15.5%). Oral mucosal lesions were significantly associated with age over 65, male gender, presence of habit and denture usage (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in geriatric people is high. Hence setting up of geriatric dental clinics, with appropriate preventive and palliative intervention strategies is mandatory.