Edentulismo, uso e necessidade de prótese dentária e qualidade de vida de pessoas idosas residentes em instituições de longa permanência

Abstract

Introduction: The growth of the elderly population increases the demand for oral care due to edentulism, which affects basic functions and quality of life. Removable dentures are affordable solutions, but are often inadequate in institutionalized elderly people, making it essential to assess the prevalence of edentulism and the need for conventional dentures. Objective: The study evaluates the prevalence of edentulism, the conditions of the prostheses in use (PPRs/PTs) and the impact of oral health on the quality of life of elderly people living in philanthropic Long-Term Institutions for the Elderly (ILPI) in the municipalities of Natal and Macaíba. Materials and methods: Quantitative, descriptive and observational study, approved by the Research Ethics Committee. The sample included six ILPIs in Natal and Macaíba, with a sample of 121 elderly people. Data were tabulated with Excel and analyzed with SPSS 20.0, applying Chi-Square and Spearman correlation statistical tests, with p≤0.05. Results: The research evaluated 121 elderly people in ILPIs, with an average age of 77.12 ± 9.0 years, where 98.3% of participants were edentulous, 46.3% being completely edentulous and 25.6% being partially edentulous. The majority did not use prostheses (50.4%) and, among users, 55.9% had used prostheses for more than 10 years. No significant correlation was found between quality of life and edentulism time, length of residence in LTCF or use of prosthesis. Mechanical complications in the prostheses included lack of retention and poor support. Conclusion: The study points to a high rate of edentulism in elderly people in LTCFs and reinforces the need for rehabilitation and oral health care in LTCFs.