Geriatric dental health

Bombay based Dr Arnavaz Havewala presented her findings on "The Oral Health Status of Geriatric Parsees” before the Fifth American Dental Congress held in Philadelphia in October 2015 where she had been invited as a speaker. The ongoing research project follows the protocol and case history forms provided by the World Health Organization which the dentist has been involved in since 2013 when it was initiated at the Parsi Ward of the Masina Hospital, and continued at the F. S. Parukh Dharamshalla, The B. D. Petit Parsee General Hospital and the Lady Hirabai Health Unit at Gamadia Colony, she informed Parsiana via email.

Dr Arnavaz Havewala: researching oral hygiene in the elderly

The project included outpatients as well, all over the age of 60 years, with the male and female ratio being 40% for the former and 60% for the latter as women generally outlive men. Her findings reveal that many had broken and infected teeth and root pieces. Nine had full dentures which were being regularly used while others had full or partial dentures but were not wearing them because of poor fit. Many were unable to masticate properly. There were cases of abnormal lesions on the palate, inside the mouth and on the tongue. Erosions caused sensitivity in some while cheek bites and ulcers due to sharp teeth were common. Most of the geriatric patients were not really concerned about their oral health and brushed their teeth cursorily, Havewala noted.
The dentist, for whom this is an individually undertaken project using her personal finances, has already compiled detailed data for nearly 100 patients without institutional help or sponsors, unassisted by any other doctor, clinician or technician, she mentions in her email.