title: Risk indicators associated with root caries in independently living older adults.
abstract: To determine the risk indicators associated with root caries experience in a cohort of independently living older adults in Ireland.
  
  
  
  The data reported in the present study were obtained from a prospective longitudinal study conducted in a cohort of independently living older adults (n=334). Each subject underwent an oral examination, performed by a single calibrated examiner, to determine the root caries index and other clinical variables. Questionnaires were used to collect data on oral hygiene habits, diet, smoking and alcohol habits and education level. A regression analysis with the outcome variable of root caries experience (no/yes) was conducted.
  
  
  
  A total of 334 older dentate adults with a mean age of 69.1 years were examined. 53.3% had at least one filled or decayed root surface. The median root caries index was 3.13 (IQR 0.00, 13.92). The results from the multivariate regression analysis indicated that individuals with poor plaque control (OR 9.59, 95% CI 3.84-24.00), xerostomia (OR 18.49, 95% CI 2.00-172.80), two or more teeth with coronal decay (OR 4.50, 95% CI 2.02-10.02) and 37 or more exposed root surfaces (OR 5.48, 95% CI 2.49-12.01) were more likely to have been affected by root caries.
  
  
  
  The prevalence of root caries was high in this cohort. This study suggests a correlation between root caries and the variables poor plaque control, xerostomia, coronal decay (≥2 teeth affected) and exposed root surfaces (≥37). The significance of these risk indicators and the resulting prediction model should be further evaluated in a prospective study of root caries incidence.
  
  
  
  Identification of risk indicators for root caries in independently living older adults would facilitate dental practitioners to identify those who would benefit most from interventions aimed at prevention.
authors.affiliation: Restorative Dentistry, Cork University Dental School and Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland. Electronic address: Martina.Hayes@ucc.ie.
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hayes
authors.affiliation: Restorative Dentistry, Cork University Dental School and Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Cristiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Da Mata
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cole
authors.affiliation: Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Ireland.
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McKenna
authors.affiliation: Restorative Dentistry, Cork University Dental School and Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, University of Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Patrick Finbarr
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Allen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004245:DMF Index; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017213:Root Caries
keywords: Aged; Dental caries; Epidemiology; Gerodontology; Risk factors; Root caries