Root surface caries in older individuals from Sri Lanka

The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with root surface caries in older individuals from Sri Lanka. A total of 600 urban subjects aged 60 years and above was selected using a two-stage cluster sampling combined with probability- proportionate-to-size technique. The data were collected by means of an interviewer-administered questionnaire and an oral examination. The mean number of teeth present was 13.4 +/- 8.7. The prevalence of root surface caries was 89.7%. The mean number of root surfaces with decay or fillings and the mean root caries index (RCI) per subject were 3.8 and 25.0%, respectively. In both arches, the molars were the most affected by root caries. A multiple logistic regression analysis showed that betel chewing (OR = 0.36; 95% CI 0.20, 0.65), being > 80 years of age (OR = 0.24; CI 0.09, 0.57), number of retained teeth (OR = 0.88; CI 0.83, 0.93) and number of root surfaces with recession (OR = 1.03; CI 1.01, 1.07) were significantly associated with the presence of root surface caries. In conclusion, it was evident from the study that the prevalence of root surface caries was high in this group of older individuals. Chewing betel, age, number of retained teeth and the number of root surfaces with recession emerged as significant predictors of root caries.