Conformity Study of DMF-T Index for Young Elderly, Middle Elderly, and Old Elderly

Abstract

Background: The most commonly used indicator for dental caries level is the DMF-T index. The DMF-T index is the index for assessing dental health status due to caries in permanent teeth. The DMFT index was first used by Henry Klein et al. is the sum of the D/decay (dental caries), M/missing (missing teeth), and F/filling (caved teeth). Physical and cognitive changes in the elderly resulted in the assessment of the DMF-T index corresponding. Materials and Methods: This is an analytic observational study, using a cross-sectional approach to four elderly communities. The elderly community selected in Jember were Karangrejo Village, Karangharjo Village, Karangsono Village, and Mojosari Village. This research used 2 DMF-T indexes: the DMF-T Klein index and the real DMF-T index. Research subjects were the young elderly (45-59 years old), middle elderly (60-74 years old), and old elderly (75 years and over). Data were collected in February-March 2021. The data were compared between the DMF-T Klein index and the real DMFT index. Data then analyzed using Wilcoxon Signed Rank test Results: This study found that there was a significant difference in the DMFT Index in the middle and old elderly. Whilst, in the young elderly, there is no significant difference in their DMFT index. This result indicates that the Klein DMF-T index can still be used at the age of 45-59 years old. Conclusion: DMF-T Klein index is still appropriate for young elderly (45-59 years), but not for middle elderly (60-74 years) and old elderly (75 years and over).