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Periodontal conditions seen in a group of Nigerian older adult patients

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of periodontal diagnosis among the older adult periodontal patients seen in a tertiary health facility in Nigeria, based on their demographic factors and level of risk of periodontal disease. Materials and Methods: The clinical records of all the patients aged ≥65 years, treated at the Periodontology Clinic between 2009 and 2012, were used for this retrospective study. The information retrieved from their clinical notes includes their medical history, history of smoking, and alcohol consumption and other demographic data such as age, sex, and socioeconomic class of the participants. Results: More than one periodontal diagnosis was made in 88.8% of the studied elderly, signifying the involvement of multiple sites. All the various diagnoses recorded in this study were more common among the males, i.e., chronic marginal gingivitis (56.6%), chronic periodontitis (54.7%), tooth wear lesions (59.0%), periodontal abscess (56.3%), and gingival enlargement (60%) (P > 0.05). Majority (59.7%) who had chronic periodontitis belong to the lowest socioeconomic class (P > 0.05). Majority (83.3%) who had a high risk of developing periodontal disease were males (P = 0.005). All the older patients with high risk of developing periodontal disease had multiple diagnoses (P > 0.05). Conclusion: It can be concluded that the pattern of periodontal conditions seen in the studied older adults is similar to what has been previously reported and that demographic factors and level of risk of periodontal diseases may influence the pattern of diagnosis. Clinical Relevance to Interdisciplinary Dentistry The older persons present with a variety of periodontal diseases Periodontologists and specialists in the area of geriatric dentistry should comanage older person to address all the factors that may militate against optimal plaque control Specialists in the area of preventive dentistry should pay special attention to oral health education and promotion among older persons with low economic status and those with lifestyles that are potential risk factors for periodontal diseases.