Caries and edentulism trends among Brazilian older adults: a comparative analysis of 2003, 2010, and 2023 surveys

This study compared the experience of dental caries and the prevalence of edentulism in 2003, 2010, and 2023 for individuals aged 65 to 74 in Brazil by region and according to self-declared race/skin color and years of schooling. A probabilistic cluster sample obtained from three national oral health surveys was analyzed. Information from oral health examinations for dental caries, according to the World Health Organization, common to three surveys, were used. The statistical significance of differences between estimates from each survey was evaluated for a linear combination of coefficients after mean or proportion estimation command by subpopulations and two-sided t-tests. Poisson and logistic regression models were employed to estimate changes between surveys while controlling for sociodemographic characteristics. The sampling design and sample weight were considered for the estimates. The analysis of data from 5,349 (2003), 7,509 (2010), and 9,745 (2023) individuals revealed a significant reduction in the DMFT index from 27.60 (2003) and 27.53 (2010) to 23.55 (2023) and in the prevalence of edentulism from 53.34% (2003) and 53.38% (2010) to 36.32% (2023). The number of missing teeth decreased by 14.46% between 2023 and 2010, with the greatest variation among white individuals and those with higher educational levels. The number of filled teeth increased. Adjusted regression models confirmed significant reductions in the DMFT index and the prevalence of edentulism between 2023 and 2003. The elderly Brazilian population is retaining more natural teeth. However, reductions in tooth loss were unequal, occurring primarily among white individuals and those with higher educational levels.