Short Implants as a Tool to Reduce Oral Health Inequalities in the Elderly: A Public Health Perspective

Existing research evidence about the elderly people in Germany and other European countries revealed that oral health especially in relation to income variation and access to dental care is still wanting. Thus, SDIs represent a conservative and relatively inexpensive solution for the edentulous elderly patient, who requires teeth just for simple functions; no extensive surgical procedures are necessary. In light of this, the study will undertake a systematic evaluation of SDIs in relative to their clinical effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and patient satisfaction based on randomised controlled trials, cohort studies and policy documents. Findings indicate that SDIs are therapeutic models with high efficacy rates and also found to enhance functional capacity and quality of life of the patients without compromising any standard practices for all the patients requiring dental care services. These approaches may also help in relation to cost containment and access to enhance equity in oral health and health among the elderly people when they are included in national health systems.