Oral Health in Native American Indian/Alaska Native Elders.

摘要

In the Native American population preventable oral diseases continue to occur at an alarming rate. Only one percent of the elderly population has all of their 28 natural teeth while 58% are totally edentulous (without teeth). This very high edentulous rate is why the availability of dentures and partial dentures is the greatest dental need of the elderly Native American population. Dental caries and periodontal disease accounts for most of the tooth loss. These plague-related, infectious diseases can be controlled by the use of both mechanical and chemical preventative procedures. The use of fluoride varnishes, pit and fissure sealants along with oral health education can be used to diminish tooth loss. The high utilization of tobacco, smoking and smokeless tobacco, is reflected in an unusually high rate of oral cancer.