Root Caries Prevalence and Associated Socio-Behavioral and Clinical Factors Among Elderly Patients Attending Selected Public Dental Clinics in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

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.