Objective:To study the dental status of the urban elderly population in Ningxia

analyze the distribution of dental disease in this group.and provide scientific basis for establishing oral health care policies.Methods:2160 elderly persons in cities of Ningxia were investigated in this study according to the criterion issued by World Health Organization(WHO) on the basic methods of oral health investigation and China oral health epidemiology survey protocol.The inspection items included caries

wedge-shaped defects

residual root and abrasion situation.SPSS12.0 statistical software was used to analyze the data.Results:(1)Among the 35~44 year-old middle-aged people in the cities of Ningxia

the prevalence of dental caries was 29.17% and DFT was 0.49

which were higher in women than in men

and the rate of filling was 57.17%;the prevalence rates of wedge-shaped defects

residual root and severe abrasion were 45.19%

12.87% and 46.20% respectively.(2)Among the 65~74 years old people

the prevalence of dental caries was 38.98% and DFT was 1.57;the rate of filling was 54.08%;the prevalence rates of wedge-shaped defects

residual root and severe abrasion were 55.09%

40.83% and 60.65% respectively

and the rate of residual root was higher in women than in men.Conclusion:The prevalence rate of dental caries among elderly people in the cities of Ningxia is very low

but the rates of wedge-shaped defects

residual root and severe abrasion are high.The awareness of oral self-care needs to be improved.It is necessary to strengthen the publicity and education of oral health prevention and protection among the elderly people in urban areas of Ningxia.