Journal of Dental Research, Vol 68, 768-772, Copyright © 1989 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Prevalence of and factors associated with root decay in older adults in Canada
D. Locker, G. D. Slade and J. L. Leake
Department of Community Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
We collected data on the oral health status and treatment needs of a random
sample of persons aged 50 years and over. Data on root decay were obtained
from the 183 subjects who were dentate. All remaining teeth were examined
for root decay and restorations, whether root surfaces were affected by
recession or not. Analysis was undertaken by case and root surface, with
separate analyses of decayed (DS), and decayed and filled (DFS) root
surfaces. One or more root surfaces with untreated decay were found in
37.2% of subjects, while one or more decayed or filled root surfaces were
found in 56.8%. The mean number of decayed surfaces was 1.3 per person, and
the mean number of decayed and filled root surfaces was 2.6. Multiple and
logistic regression analyses showed that oral health variables were more
important predictors of the presence and severity of root decay than
demographic, general health, or dental care factors.
