Association between root/coronal caries and individual factors in institutionalised elderly using ICDAS severity and...

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Dentistry
• Oral Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Dental caries in the elderly is linked to dependency, oral health status, and care practices.
• This study focuses on institutionalized elderly individuals in Bogotá, Colombia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate associations between root/coronal caries and individual factors in institutionalized elderly.
• Utilized the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) for severity and activity criteria.

Main Methods:

• Clinical examination of 226 institutionalized elderly individuals for root and coronal caries.
• Assessed caries risk using Cariogram and collected demographic, knowledge, practice, quality of life, and denture data via questionnaire.

Main Results:

• 100% prevalence of Coronal-ICDAS caries experience (C-ICDAS DF).
• 49.1% prevalence of Root Caries Index; 46% prevalence of Root-ICDAS DF.
• Significant associations found: coronal active caries with >6 teeth (OR: 2.7); root caries with coronal caries (OR: 2.41), being male (OR: 1.95), and >14 teeth (OR: 0.30).
• Over 8 exposed root surfaces increased likelihood of root caries (OR: 4.04) and active root caries (OR: 2.4).

Conclusions:

• Significant associations exist between root and coronal caries presence/activity and clinical factors in institutionalized elderly.
• Factors include coronal caries, exposed root surfaces, and tooth count.
• Highlights the need for targeted oral health interventions in this population.