Prevalence and demographic correlates of tooth loss among the elderly in the United States.

The aging of the United States population and the contribution of tooth loss to oral health make it important to describe tooth loss among the elderly in this country. Data from the National Survey of Oral Health in US Employed Adults and Seniors: 1985-1986, conducted by the National Institute of Dental Research, were analyzed to examine the prevalence and demographic correlates of tooth loss among the elderly. Results show that there were important differences in tooth loss among subgroups of the elderly sample (overall n = 5,649 persons aged 65+ years attending senior centers). The oldest seniors and those with the least education or income were the most likely to be edentulous. The oldest dentulous seniors, blacks, those with the least education or income, and those who lived in New England or the Northeast had the fewest number of teeth present. These findings suggest that efforts to reduce tooth loss among the elderly should target those with the least education and income.