Oral health and dental care needs among rural older adults in remote Southern Chile.

BACKGROUND

This study aims to assess the oral health status and unmet restorative and prosthetic needs of older adults in La Araucanía Region, Chile, with a particular focus on the influence of sociodemographic factors and ethnic ancestry. The goal is to provide data to inform health policies and programmes tailored to older adults.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 157 dentate older adults aged 60 and older from five municipalities in La Araucanía Region, Chile. Participants were recruited using convenience and snowball sampling methods. Evaluations were carried out in remote settings via a mobile dental clinic, where extensive data were collected. Participants' sociodemographic information, medical conditions, and oral health status were assessed, including the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index and periodontal status. Linear and logistic regression analyses were used to explore associations between variables.

RESULTS

The mean age of participants was 70.2 years, most being female (73.2%). The average DMFT score was 23.9 teeth, dental caries experience was higher in females (24.4 vs. 22.0; p < 0.01), and in those not having tertiary education compared to those who did (24.2 vs. 21.2; p < 0.01). Participants had 32.2% of their restorative needs unmet, with males (49.6% vs. 26.4%; p < 0.01) and those of Mapuche ancestry showing higher proportions of unmet needs (48.1% vs. 25.6%; p < 0.01). 54.1% of participants had unmet prosthetic needs. Participants living in larger municipalities had lower unmet prosthetic needs compared to those living in other municipalities (OR = 0.13; 95% CI:0.04-0.49). All participants showed some level of periodontal involvement, with living arrangements (lived alone (OR = 4.73; 95%CI:1.48-15.13)) and multimorbidity (OR = 1.50; 95%CI:1.09-2.05) being predictors of periodontitis. Only 15.1% required urgent dental treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides insights into the oral health challenges faced by older adults living in remote areas of Chile, highlighting significant disparities associated with sociodemographic factors. The findings underscore the need for integrated healthcare models and targeted interventions to address unmet needs and improve oral health outcomes in this population.