Partial dentures as an independent indicator of root caries risk in a group of older adults.

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the independent association between the wearing of removable partial dentures (RPD) and the presence of root caries in a population of older adults.

DESIGN

Multivariate logistic regression modeling of root caries prevalence using different measures of root caries as dependent variables. The model included measures of disease history as indicators of historical risk.

SETTING

Data collected in the field from three areas of England.

SUBJECTS

Random sample of adults aged 60 years and over, drawn from lists of patients registered with general medical practitioners.

INTERVENTION

Field measurements of a range of oral health variables including oral disease, disease history, oral status and various social and demographic measures.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The presence of root caries, unsound and sound root restorations.

RESULTS

Of the five different models of root caries prevalence which were used, RPDs featured as an independent risk indicator for root surface caries in the three which were related to the presence of untreated disease. The odds ratios for the contribution made by RPDs were all over 1.6, and when considered alone was in excess of 2 in one model. These models were generally well fitting. RPDs did not feature as a risk indicator in the two models which related only to the presence of root surface restorations.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, where RPDs were present, the odds of untreated disease being present increased substantially.