Abstract
We have been studying the relationships between results of osteoporosis screening examinations and those of dental health checkups, and have reported the relationship between number of remaining teeth and bone density in the calcaneus (%YAM). Further, that relationship was also examined using Functional Tooth Evaluation Score (FTES) results, which we found able to quantify and numerically express oral conditions. In the present study, we examined the relationship between the mean results of FTES and bone density in the calcaneus by age, and used the results for clinical application. The subjects for this study were 235 women of 30's-70's. Following are the results for subjects aged 50 - 64 years old.
(1) The tendencies for changes in mean FTES and bone density in the calcaneus by age were very similar. Mean FTES and mean bone density in the calcaneus showed a positive correlation. (p<0.01).
(2) Subjects who demonstrated a lower FTES than expected on the basis of the age were referred to an orthopedic specialist for measurements of bone density, and some were diagnosed with osteoporosis. As a result, our findings suggested that FTES can be utilized for screening of osteoporosis.
