Tooth loss and denture status: results of the 6th German Oral Health Study (DMS • 6)

Objectives: The German Oral Health Study (DMS) is a series of consecutive studies designed to assess the oral health status of adults, seniors, and children in Germany. DMS is a major program of the Institute of German Dentists (Institut der Deutschen Zahnärzte) with the aim to produce health statistics for Germany. Tooth loss, edentulism, and prosthetic care have considerable socioeconomic significance; it is the aim of this paper to report findings on these aspects.
Method and materials: The survey combines interviews and clinical examinations. Previous DMS studies focused primarily on tooth loss, edentulism, and prosthetic care. In the DMS • 6 survey, the condition of removable dentures and need for adjustments were additionally recorded, as well as necessary repair measures that were grouped according to their complexity (chairside or laboratory).
Results: The prevalence of edentulism decreased considerably compared to that in the Fifth German Oral Health Study (DMS V) in 2014. Among younger adults (35- to 44-year-olds), the prevalence of edentulism was negligible, with an average of 26.6 teeth present. The younger senior group (65- to 74-year-olds) had an average of 19.3 teeth; the prevalence of edentulism was 5%, which is a reduction of > 50% compared to 2014 (12.4%). Lower education status was an important prognostic factor for tooth loss. Owing to the low prevalence of edentulism in younger adults, removable dentures were not prevalent in this age group, whereas combined fixed–removable dentures were most frequently used in seniors. Regarding the type of denture, a shift towards fixed as well as implant-supported types was observed. Of the removable dentures, 50% to 60% were in a very good or good clinical condition. Problems were mainly identified with simple acrylic dentures. Nonetheless, participants’ satisfaction with removable dentures was extremely high, and the dentures were used almost continuously.
Conclusion: The most important finding in this study is the continued significant decline in the prevalence of complete edentulism among seniors that suggests a further reduction in edentulism in the future with an estimate of around 4% in 2030. The shift observed in primary prosthetic care from removable to fixed prostheses as well as the increasing prevalence of implants placed are positive developments. The data revealed further compression of morbidity compared to DMS V. Complete edentulism declined, and fixed partial dentures, including implant-supported prostheses, were increasingly used. Lower education status was an important predictor for tooth loss.