Oral health in a convenience sample of Chinese older adults living in Melbourne, Australia

Abstract

ObjectivesTo present data on the dental and periodontal status of a convenience sample of 101 ambulant China-born older adults who now live in Melbourne. These older adults participated in a study to assess the prevalence of specific oral diseases.MethodsParticipants were interviewed in Cantonese using a structured questionnaire and received an oral examination to assess dental and periodontal status using the DMFS/T and CPI indices, respectively.ResultsThis sample was largely a dentate one (94.1%); with a mean Decayed, Filled and Missing tooth surfaces (DMFS) score of 57.5 (SD 37.9). Approximately, 80% of the dentate sample had all their restorative needs met; 25% had a sound periodontium; ..