Age classification for tooth loss management in Korean adults

Objectives: To propose age group classification criteria for efficient tooth loss management by analyzing the distribution of tooth loss in Korean adults by age group and causes of tooth loss.In addition, to determine the efficacy of a Significant Tooth Loss index.Methods: The study included 13,199 adults who participated in the seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016)(2017)(2018).The mean number of missing teeth was compared by classifying the ages into 10-and 5-year intervals.Based on this analysis, the distribution of missing teeth was determined by classifying the age groups into 15-year intervals.Subsequently, the causes of tooth loss by age group at 15-year intervals and the efficacy of the Significant Tooth Loss Index were determined.Results: Classification at 5-year age intervals was more appropriate for analyzing changes in the distribution of missing teeth than classification at 10-year age intervals.However, establishing a public oral health program for the management of tooth loss on a 5-year or 10-year basis is impractical.Therefore, a classification method with 15-year age intervals was proposed, in which the groups were young (19-34 years), middle-aged (35-49 years), older adult (50-64 years), and elderly (65 years or older).Although the criteria for the Significant Tooth Loss Index were appropriate for the young, older adults, and elderly groups, modifications were required for the middle-aged group.Conclusions: Age-based oral health programs for adults should be promoted to prevent tooth loss by classifying adults into different age groups based on their clinical characteristics.