INTENSITY OF DENTAL CARIES, SALIVARY FUNCTIONAL PARAMETERS AND SOMATIC PATHOLOGY IN WOMEN-NUNS OF DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS

Abstract

Introduction. The intensity of dental caries in adults is determined by a combination of age-related, behavioral, biological and social factors. Women living in monastic communities represent a socially and behaviorally homogeneous group, which minimizes external influences and allows for an objective assessment of age-related patterns of oral health. The study of salivary functional characteristics and systemic health conditions in this cohort provides an opportunity to clarify the role of local and systemic determinants in caries development. The aim of the study was to assess the intensity of dental caries and its age-related features in women-nuns, and to evaluate the relationship of the DMFT index with basal salivation rate, saliva microcrystallization patterns, and somatic comorbidities. Materials and methods. Twenty-nine women-nuns aged 25–75 years were examined and stratified into three age groups (25–44 years, n = 15; 45–59 years, n = 10; 60–75 years, n = 4). Caries intensity was assessed using the DMFT index (D – decayed, M – missing, F – filled teeth). Basal salivation rate was measured using the unstimulated saliva collection method over 5 minutes; the remineralizing potential of saliva was evaluated using the microcrystallization test with morphological classification (types IIA, IIB, IIC, IIIA, IIIB). Somatic pathology was determined by structured interviewing. Statistical analysis included ANOVA or Kruskal–Wallis tests for group comparisons and Spearman correlation for assessing associations (p < 0.05). Results. A clear age-related increase in caries intensity was observed: mean DMFT values rose from 17.0 ± 3.9 in the 25–44 age group to 28.8 ± 3.8 in women aged 60–75 years (p < 0.01). The main contributor to between-group differences was the “M” component (missing teeth), whereas active caries (“D”) remained low across all groups. All participants demonstrated high values of the “F” component, indicating a generally treated dental status. Basal salivation rate and saliva microcrystallization types showed no significant association with DMFT values (p > 0.2). Endocrine (37.9 %), cardiovascular (34.5 %) and musculoskeletal disorders (31.0 %) were the most common systemic conditions, but none were associated with DMFT level (p = 0.96). Conclusions. Women-nuns demonstrated a pronounced age-related increase in dental caries intensity, mainly due to cumulative tooth loss. Salivary functional characteristics (basal salivation and microcrystallization) and somatic comorbidities did not influence caries intensity. The social homogeneity of this cohort makes the findings valuable for understanding age-related patterns of oral health and for developing targeted preventive strategies.