Fungal oral flora and dental status in an elderly institutionalized population in developing countries: example of the Sao Tome Republic

Introduction. An epidemiological study was conducted in 82 institutionalize d adults in Sao Tome e Principe to determine the dental status and the oral fungal flora. Materials and methods. For each adult included, a dental examination and a swab of inferior molar teeth with culture on chromagar(R) medium were condu cted. Results. The average number per person of Decayed, Missing, Filling (mean D MF index) was 13 (extremes: from 0 to 32) and 37.8% of population were colo nized with fungal species: 25.6% with yeasts only, 3.7% with filamenteous f ungi and 8.5% with both of them. 13.4% were colonized with Candida albicans . Conclusion. Despite the lack of dental treatment, the dental health of this population is currently good with low caries but many avulsions. Oral fung al flora is poor and C. albicans is not the most important species as in in dustrialized countries. The data illustrate treatment needs in these people and that minimal improvements could considerably improve their dental heal th.