title: Root caries in 35-44 and 65-74 year-olds in Turkey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the prevalence and related factors of root caries in Turkish 35-44 and 65-74 year-olds.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, using a proportional stratified cluster sampling, 1,631 subjects aged 35-44 years and 1,545 aged 65-74 years were examined. Data were collected via a structured, pre-tested face-to-face administered questionnaire and oral examination following WHO 1997 guidance. Statistical significance was evaluated with chi2 test and binary logistic regression analyses to determine the significance of explanatory variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of root caries was 20.1% in dentate 35-44 year-olds, 28.4% in 65-74 year-olds. Mean decayed root increased significantly with the increasing number of retained natural teeth (p = 0.010 for 35-44 and p < 0.001 for 65-74 year-olds). First molars were the most affected by root caries in both age groups. For adults, being male (OR = 1.37), rural residence (OR =1.50), being unschooled (OR = 3.07), no tooth brushing (OR = 1.83) and never visiting dentist (OR = 2.03) were the predictors of the presence of root caries. For elderly, rural residence (OR = 1.54), no tooth brushing (OR = 1.89), and never visiting dentist (OR = 2.38) were the determinants of root caries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a need for the increased implementation of oral health measures with increasing age in Turkey.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Conservative Dentistry, Hacettepe University, Faculty of Dentistry, Ankara, Turkey. sgokalp@hacettepe.edu.tr
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gökalp
authors.forename: B Güçiz
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Doğan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009909:Oral Health; D017213:Root Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology