Assessment of Oral Health Problems among the Elderly Populace of Ikibiri Community; Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State and Possible Solutions

ABSTRACT

Background: This research work was aimed at assessing the oral health problems of the elderly populace of Ikibiri community; Bayelsa State as well as determining possible solutions to these problems.Method: A descriptive study design was carried out on 100 respondents comprising of elderly individuals of Ikibiri community; Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State between the ages of 60 - 110 years. Interviewer - based questionnaires assessing the presence of specific oral health problems as well as delivery of oral health services were used as our instrument for data collection.Results: Bleeding gums (52); toothache (44); and oral sores (42) were found to be the major oral health problems being experienced by the population under study and these were mostly attributed to the absence of a dentist (95); absence of a dental clinic (94) as well as the absence of oral health education to the community (87).Conclusion: Oral health problems are undoubtedly present among the elderly individuals of Ikibiri community; Yenagoa LGA; Bayelsa State which was attributed to the absence of dental personnel; dental facilities and oral health education. It was however recommended that Ikibiri community be provided with dental personnel and facilities as well as the provision of oral health education to the entire populace of Ikibiri; which would indeed reduce the burden of oral health problems among the elderly in this community