RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of root caries and the treatment needs in an ambulant population of older adults, living in the Maule Region, Chile. BASIC RESEARCH DESIGN: The source of primary data was the Regional Oral Health Survey. A random sample of 438 older adults, aged 65-74 years, living independently in the community was orally examined, and underwent an oral health interview. RESULTS: This was a largely dentate population (74.9%). Dentate participants had 70.4% of their root surfaces with recession. Those with exposed root surfaces had an average of 29.8 root surfaces exposed. The root caries index (RCI) was 8.23%, and a mean of 0.21 and 0.55 root surfaces filled and decayed, respectively. CONCLUSION: Participants had better oral health status than previously reported. Consistent with studies conducted in independent-living older adults, root caries occurred in a lower frequency among Chilean ambulant older adults. The proportion of unmet restorative needs could be reduced. Community-based preventive care programmes specifically tailored to older adults are needed to address this challenge.
