The features of degenerative diseases and their association with the loss of teeth in the elderly of East Jakarta (Indonesia).

This epidemiological survey was conducted to find features of degenerative diseases associated with loss of teeth in the elderly. One hundred sixty-seven elderly (> or = 60 years old) people from local government health centers in East Jakarta, Indonesia were included in the study. The degenerative diseases (DM, hypertension, heart disease) were determined by physical examination, laboratory testing and questionnaires. Tooth loss was measured by the DMF-T (decay, missing, filling teeth) index. Oral hygiene condition was based on OHI-S (oral hygiene index simplified) index. The most common degenerative disease was hypertension (45.5%). DM was found a few (3.6%). Approximately 55% of respondents had moderate oral hygiene problems. The demand for professional dental care was low. There was no significant association between degenerative diseases and the loss of teeth. In conclusion, the loss of teeth was not associated with degenerative diseases, but may have been influenced by local factors such as a low demand for dental hygiene.