Oral health for the old

Dr Arnavaz M. Havewala, dental surgeon and consulting oral pathologist initiated a pilot study on "Oral Health Status of Geriatric Parsis” at the Masina Hospital last year. Medical director of the Hospital Dr Rohinton B. Dastur, who inaugurated the study along with managing trustee Homi Katgara on October 17, 2013, mentioned in a letter that the study, based on the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) worldwide study of a similar nature, focuses on diagnosis and study of oral health of Parsi patients over the age of 55 years. The oral mucous membrane, throat, tonsils and teeth are examined in detail, he adds.

Dr Arnavaz Havewala giving dental check up to an elderly patient

Havewala, in an email sent to Parsiana, informs that "population statistics show that more than 30% of Parsis are over the age of 60… We now have a huge number of persons who will need treatment at some stage or another.” The first step toward this would be to find out what their problems are, to create a proper database of these patients so that suitable treatments can be provided. Geriatric patients’ needs are different from those of the rest of the population, and hence their treatment will also be unique to them, she notes.
At the pilot study conducted at Masina Hospital, all 15 patients in the Parsi Ward as well as two elderly patients who attended the dental outpatients’ department were covered. The next step was to assess the oral health of inmates of the S. F. Parukh Dharamshalla, with the cooperation of Bombay Parsi Punchayet trustee Armaity Tirandaz. Havewala eventually plans to extend the scope of her study to cover all the elderly members of the community in old age homes, baugs and institutions. Any person over 60 years of age may contact the dentist for a free assessment: Dr Arnavaz M. Havewala, R. N. Gamadia Polyclinic, Gamadia Colony, Tardeo, Bombay 400007; tel: 23521068, 65056472 or 9221291669.