Oral health: adults with 21 or more teeth - future projections

The number of teeth previously reported as acceptable for a functional adult dentition is 21 (Steele et al, 2000).

The linked Excel chart (46Kb) shows historical Scottish data from the Adult Dental Health Survey (ADHS) on the percentages of the population with 21 teeth or more, together with some projections. The projections assume the historical patterns continue in the future.

Unlike other oral health data presented on this website, the oldest age group considered here is 55 and over (this being the oldest age group detailed in ADHS findings pre-1988).

The chart shows that the percentage of functionally dentate adults increased between 1972 and 1998, in all age groups. The most striking increases are seen in the older age groups. The projections predict that the age groups under 45 will level off at more than 96% functional dentition by 2018. The oldest (55 and over) age band is projected to increase from 40% to 68% functionally dentate between 1998 and 2028.