Changing Oral Health Status in Seniors in the Czech Republic between 1987 and 2003

When comparing the results of two nation-wide surveys of oral health concerning age categories of 65-74 and 75 and more years respectively it was shown that oral health of seniors significantly improved in virtually all parameters of dental and periodontal status and treatment outcomes. The principal goals relevant to oral health of seniors in the program "Health for all by 2000" have been to decrease edentulousness by one third and to drop the prevalence of advanced periodontal disease under 10 %. The decrease of edentulousness achieved between 1987 and 2003 was from 28.2 % to 21.0 % which means 25.5 % reduction. In the same interval the prevalence of advanced periodontal disease decreased from 11.1 % to 9.0 % - and the goal was fulfilled.