PERIODONTAL CONDITIONS OF ELDERS IN

Condições periodontais de idosos do Nordeste do Brasil Condiciones periodontal de mayores del Noreste de Brasil Objective: To evaluate the periodontal conditions of elderly patients assisted in a Specialized Dentistry Center in Northeastern of Brazil. Methods: Quantitative and cross-sectional study conducted with 152 elders. It was used a questionnaire to get information about socio-demographic aspects (age, sex, gender, income, and education), general healthand periodontal clinical examination based on the Communitarian Periodontal Index (CPI), an indicator recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), who enabled the evaluation of the periodontal condition. It was used Pearson’s Chi-square Distribution, or Fisher’s Exact Test, with significance level tests 5%. Results: The elders age ranged from 60 to 89 years, mean of 67.6 years (SD ± 6.13). The variables female 70 (53.9%), retiree 95 (62.5%), low income 91 (59.0%), secondary school 60 (39.5%) predominated and 130 (85.5%) elders used medicines. Most evidenced self-reported diseases: eye problems 123 (80.9%), cardiovascular disorders 107 (70.4%), osteoporosis 77 (50.7%) and diabetes 54 (35.5%). Dental calculus prevailed 128 (84.2%). Statistical significance was found between the presence ofperiodontal pocket and age group 60-65 years (p = 0.027); dental calculus andbrushing teeth once a day (p=0.028); not use of dental floss and periodontal pocket from 4 to 5mm (p=0.001); use of toothpick with periodontal pocket from 4 to 5mm (0.018) and of 6mm or more (p=0.001); educational level and dental calculus (p=0.005). Conclusion: The periodontal health of this population is covered with precariousness, mainly due to dental calculus and periodontal pocket