Root caries experience among Australian adults.

Area of Science:

• Dental Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Gerodontology

Background:

• Rising life expectancy and tooth retention in Australia increase the burden of root caries.
• Understanding root caries patterns and risk factors is crucial for public health initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the prevalence and patterns of root caries in Australian adults.
• To evaluate associations between root caries and socio-demographic, socio-economic, clinical, and behavioral factors.

Main Methods:

• Secondary analysis of the 2004-2006 National Survey of Adult Oral Health (n=5505).
• Oral examinations and questionnaires assessed root caries, gingival recession, oral hygiene, and behavioral factors.
• Multivariable models analyzed associations, adjusting for gingival recession; older adults (60+) analyzed separately.

Main Results:

• Root caries prevalence was 25.3% in general adults and 62.0% in older adults.
• Smokers exhibited higher prevalence and severity of root caries (DFS, DS, FS).
• Frequent brushing and high income were linked to lower mean root DS, while frequent dental visits correlated with higher root FS and DFS.

Conclusions:

• Root caries is prevalent in Australian adults, particularly older adults.
• Smoking is a significant risk factor for increased root caries prevalence and severity.
• Oral hygiene, income, and dental visiting behaviors show complex associations with root caries severity.