PREVALENCE OF EDENTULISM AND RELATED SOCIAL-BEHAVIOURAL FACTORS AMONG YOUNG ADULTS OF IASI, ROMANIA

Authors: Alexandru BASNO, Adam MAXIM, Carmen SAVIN, Carina BALCOS, Monica Silvia TATARCIUC

Abstract:

Introduction: Edentulism is a debilitating disease influencing the individual quality of life. Today, there are countries where the prevalence of this pathology is increased since early ages, with a considerable influence on the healthcare system. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of edentulism and its related social-behavioural factors, and to assess the prevalence of different prosthetic rehabilitations among young adults of Iasi, Romania. Materials and methods: The retrospective study was conducted on a sample of 1, 334 young people of Iasi, Romania, along a 7 year evaluation period (between 2009 and 2015). From the initial group of 1, 334 young people, only 334 subjects, presenting various forms of edentulism, were selected. Data were extracted from the observation sheets completed in the EGOHID system. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS 20.0. Results and discussion: The study group was formed of 334 young adults, mean age: 21.85 years. The results obtained indicate a decrease in the prevalence of edentation values from 43% in 2010 to 11% in 2014. Female subjects, coming from several urban areas with a medium SES level, are affected by edentulism to a greater extent than males. Only 8.38% of the edentulous subjects were treated with fixed prostheses until the evaluation, most of the prostheses being recorded on female subjects from urban areas with medium SES level. The causes of edentulism were dental caries (73-89%), anodontia (3.4-13.6%), dental trauma
(1.2%). Conclusions: The prevalence of tooth loss among Romanian young adults of Iasi shows the need for targeted dental actions including prevention at earlier ages, treatment of affected teeth and universal access to fluoridated products. Communitary programs directed towards promoting oral health and multidisciplinary efforts are suggested for prevention of tooth loss.

Keywords:
  • edentulism
  • prosthesis.
  • young adults