Prevalence of root caries among ambulant older adults living in central Chile.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence of root caries and the treatment needs in an ambulant population of older adults, living in the Maule Region, Chile.

BASIC RESEARCH

DESIGN

The source of primary data was the Regional Oral Health Survey. A random sample of 438 older adults, aged 65-74 years, living independently in the community was orally examined, and underwent an oral health interview.

RESULTS

This was a largely dentate population (74.9%). Dentate participants had 70.4% of their root surfaces with recession. Those with exposed root surfaces had an average of 29.8 root surfaces exposed. The root caries index (RCI) was 8.23%, and a mean of 0.21 and 0.55 root surfaces filled and decayed, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Participants had better oral health status than previously reported. Consistent with studies conducted in independent-living older adults, root caries occurred in a lower frequency among Chilean ambulant older adults. The proportion of unmet restorative needs could be reduced. Community-based preventive care programmes specifically tailored to older adults are needed to address this challenge.