Journal of Dental Research, Vol 67, 496-500, Copyright © 1988 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Tooth mortality in an adult rural population in Kenya
F. Manji, V. Baelum and O. Fejerskov
Kenya Medical Research Institute, Medical Research Centre, Oral Health Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya.
This paper reports on the pattern of tooth loss in a random sample of 1131
adults aged from 15 to 65 years in a rural area of Kenya in which access to
formal dental care is minimal. We found that the majority of the population
retained most of their dentition in a functional state even up to the age
of 65 years: In all age groups, more than 50% had at least 26 teeth
present, and more than 90% had at least 16 teeth present. The prevalence of
edentulousness was less than 0.3%. The principal cause of tooth loss in all
age groups was caries, and this was true for all tooth-types except
incisors, for which periodontal disease was the main cause of tooth loss.
The cultural practice of removing lower central incisors was observed only
in those over 40 years of age. More teeth were lost due to caries among
women than among men, while the reverse was true for teeth lost due to
periodontal diseases. In view of the fact that most people retain most of
their teeth throughout life, it is suggested that the most appropriate
strategies for dental health care in this population should be those
promoting self care, rather than the introduction of a formal
treatment-oriented approach provided by dentists.
