[The effect of a three-year trial of a community dental care program for aged pensioners in Denmark].

Recently, one Danish municipality established a programme of systematic dental care free of charge to citizens 67 through 70 years of age. The old-age pensioners were offered care according to the principles of the Danish Municipal Dental Service, including comprehensive curative and preventive care as well as oral health education. The present report describes the results achieved after three years of the programme in terms of changes in oral health status, oral health behaviour, and life-quality. Longitudinal data were collected for evaluation. Personal interviews were conducted at baseline (n = 216) and at follow-up (n = 235), comprising participants in the municipal programme as well as non-participants. Moreover, clinical follow-up data of participants were provided (n = 187, at follow-up). At base-line, 46% of all respondents had regular dental visits at least once a year and the proportion increased to 86% at the follow-up. A total of 75% participated in the municipal programme and the self-assessment of dental health improved significantly over time. The percentage of participants who reported poor function of dentures declined and, at follow-up, less of the elderly felt embarrassed by teeth or preferred food that was easy to chew. The changes in self-reported oral health status were supported clinically by a reduction both in the number of untreated decayed tooth surfaces and in the number of teeth with gingival bleeding and pockets. Finally, gradually more attenders of the municipal service showed frequent oral hygiene habits and positive attitudes to oral health.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)