Root Caries Prevalence and Associated Socio-Behavioral and Clinical Factors Among Elderly Patients Attending Selected Public Dental Clinics in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
Journal Title: Journal of Dentistry and Oral Sciences - Year 2021, Vol 3, Issue 1
Abstract
Background: Root caries is an emerging dental health problem for elderly mostly because of increased life expectancy and improvement in oral health care, leading to higher retention of teeth, and hence increased number of exposed root surfaces susceptible to caries. Objective: To determine the prevalence of root caries and associated sociodemographic, behavioral and clinical factors among elderly patients who attended dental clinics in selected public hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methods: Elderly patients 60 years and above were interviewed to obtain socio demographic and behavioral factors. This was followed by clinical examination to assess teeth with root caries, gingival recession and oral hygiene of the patients. Findings: The study involved 348 elderly with mean age of 76 SD ± 6.2 years. Prevalence of root caries was 42.2% (n=147) and the mean root caries index was 6.77%, SD 9.6 (0.00 – 43.24). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that; older age (OR 1.8, CI 1.13 – 2.87), having higher level of education (OR1.77, CI 1.1 – 2.93) and poor oral hygiene (OR 4.03, CI 2.3 – 6.98), significantly associated with having root caries. Across all the types of teeth, maxillary teeth were mostly affected by root caries than mandibular teeth. Conclusion: The current study reveals high prevalence of root caries among the examined elderly patients. Socio-demographic as well as clinical factors contributed significantly to having root caries. Appropriate oral hygiene measures and prevention of gingival recession is recommended when providing oral health care for the elderly in Dar es Salaam.
Authors and Affiliations
Lucy Vero Theophilus, Irene Kida Minja* and Bakari Salim Lembariti
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP707508
- DOI https://doi.org/10.37191/Mapsci-2582-3736-3(1)-073
- Views 72
- Downloads 0
Smile Designing Using Laminate Veneers – A Case Report
Aim: To describe a treatment plan that serves as a functional and aesthetic alternative to orthodontic treatment options that may be time-consuming, for mild crowding in anterior teeth wherein only aesthetics is of conce...
Double Layer Socket Preservation Technique Associated with Xenogenous Bone Graft and Polypropylene Membrane: A Case Report
With the demand for tooth/gum aesthetics in implant-supported rehabilitations, the surgeon, whether an implant specialist or not, increasingly needs to be mindful of proper care for socket preservation following extracti...
Effect of Surgical Versus Pharmacological Decompression of Ludwig’s Angina on Airway Compromise among Nigerian Patients
Background: Even though the decompression of the cellulitis phase of Ludwig's angina (LA) by surgical or pharmacological approach is well documented, it is unclear which approach is more effective. Objective: We aim...
Sodium Tetra Decyl Sulfate: A Sclerosant To Be Used with Caution
The treatments of vascular malformations pose extreme challenge not only to the surgeons but to the patients as well. A surgical intervention might be effective for all well circumscribed malformations of moderate size w...
An In-vitro Comparison of the Bleaching Efficacy of 35% Carbamide Peroxide with Established Intracoronal Bleaching Agents
Introduction: Intracoronal bleaching is the simplest, least invasive, and least expensive means available to lighten non-vital discolored teeth. The objective of the study: To evaluate the intra coronal bleaching effi...