DENTAL ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOR AMONG A SAMPLE OF DENTATE OLDER ADULTS FROM 3 ENGLISH COMMUNITIES

Improvements in oral health have resulted in impressive reductions in edentulousness in the middle aged and elderly. As part of a large, thr ee-centered survey of adults aged 60 or over, 1211 dentate subjects we re interviewed about their dental attendance pattern, their reasons fo r non-attendance, attitudes to edentulousness, treatment preferences a nd oral hygiene practices. The three areas sampled allowed north-south and urban-rural comparisons to be assessed. 19-28% of all subject wer e dental non-attenders, but the prevalence was highest in the north. A perception that there was no need to seek dental care was the commone st reason given for non-attendance. Subjects from the northern samples were less likely to be upset at the prospect of edentulousness and le ss likely to opt for restorative treatment that their southern counter parts. Gender differences were pronounced in the north, with men being less concerned about edentulousness, less likely to opt for restorati on and less likely to visit the dentist than women. In the south this difference was less evident. Generally, expectations were high and att itudes were based on the preservation of natural teeth. This is a posi tive development, but caution must be exercised to ensure that expecta tions are realistic.