J Korean Acad Oral Health.  2025 Mar;49(1):48-54. 10.11149/jkaoh.2025.49.1.48.

Age classification for tooth loss management in Korean adults

• Choi JI
• Ju HJ
• Lee HS
• Oh HW

• KMID: 2566560
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.11149/jkaoh.2025.49.1.48

Abstract

Objectives
To propose age group classification criteria for efficient tooth loss management by ana-lyzing the distribution of tooth loss in Korean adults by age group and causes of tooth loss. In addi-tion, 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 (2016-2018). 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 im-practical. 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 appropri-ate 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.

Keyword

Adults; Age groups; Classification; Management; Tooth loss

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Tooth loss by age group (mean); (A) 10-year intervals, (B) 5-year intervals.

Reference

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