Elderly Population

The statistics show that United States is experience a high population of the aged individuals than it has never experienced before. According to the 2005 Interim State Population Projections of the United States Census Bureau, (2014) in 1930s’ the American older population was approximately 7 million which was equivalent to 5.4% of the total population. Today, one out of three people be fifty years and above. In 2030 one out of five will be 65 years, and they will reach almost 71 million individual, which will account about 20% of the United States population1. This indicated that the number of elderly in the United States was rapidly increasing than that of the younger populations and this is still evident today1. Although the life expectancy

Tooth loss, dental caries, periodontitis, dry mouth, and oral cancer are the most common conditions leading to poor oral health in the elderly. According to Ludmila et al.2016) and Dye et al.(2007) 22% of the older population has been diagnosed with dental caries and has remained untreated 4,5. In addition, According to Eke et al.2012) 70.1% of persons age 65 years and over have periodontal disease. If left untreated, both dental caries and periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss 6. Tooth loss considers one of the primary oral health indicator in USA. The total percentage of 65 years and over with complete tooth loss reach 23% in reference to Bruce et al. (2012), which indeed play a major factor in diminish the quality of life among this age

Several literature discussed the barriers of dental services utilization among elders age group such as income, education, insurance and physical access. Equally, as a matter of fact, It has been hypothesized that there is association between dental service utilization and general health status. Poor general health and multiple systemic Conditions may render older individual to seek dental care. Persons with impaired functional health found to have higher levels of untreated dental disease, Hyattsville (2010)10. Certainly, the study done by Kuthy et al.(1996) on medicare part B patients on Ohio (Cincinnati) support this hypothesis. They concluded that patients usually consider medical conditions as high priority. They are more likely to visit the physician leaving no time or energy to worry about the dental appointments11. In like manner, Dolan et al.(1998) support the same conclusion when they published that impaired systemic condition associated with low level use of dental care even among high educated elders who have history of receiving dental