Dynamics of dental morbidity in Armenian adults: A national examination survey during 2003-2018

BACKGROUND an‎d AIM: Many researchers have stated that the quality of dental care, its accessibility, and insufficient provision of the preventive measures are worsening. The present study was conducted to analyze the epidemiological situation of the dental morbidity in the adult population of Armenia in order to improve the therapeutic and preventive measures. METHODS: Analyses of 1493 World Health Organization (WHO) maps in the key adult age groups evaluated the intensity severity and prevalence of dental caries (682 in Yerevan, Armenia, and 811 in the regions). The condition of periodontal tissues was determined by the Community Periodontal Index (CPI). The state of oral hygiene was assessed by the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S). The data were analyzed in the Statistica software for Excel (version 6.0), using Kruskal-Wallis test, Pearson's chi-square test, and t-test. Statistical significant level was considered at P < 0.05. RESULTS: The prevalence of caries among the adults and older people was within 100% both in Yerevan and its regions. The indicator of the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) at the age of 35-44 years in Yerevan was 11.90 and in its regions was 11.02, while the component of "missing teeth" in Yerevan and its regions was 45.9% and 55.1%, respectively. The average severity index at the age of 65 years and older increased to 27.7. In adulthood, the signs of destructive processes in the periodontium were expressed, and the periodontal pockets of different depths were observed. In the elderly, the prevalence and severity of destructive changes progressed, and there were no significant differences compared in the baseline data. CONCLUSION: According to the results of the present study, older people are at a relatively higher risk of developing oral diseases; therefore, this population group should be involved in preventive measures with an age consideration.