EPIDEMIOLOGY OF ROOT CARIES

This paper discusses the influence of changes in population characteri stics on root caries and re-examines the epidemiology of the disease. The difficulties in interpreting the available data on the prevalence and incidence are highlighted and the last decade of studies are summa rized in table form. The effect on clinical data of dentists' treatmen t decisions are addressed and demonstrated using data from a longitudi nal study involving 24 dental practitioners in Manchester, UK. These d entists recruited and collected clinical information on a group of the ir regularly attending dentate adult patients. For the over 55 year ol ds, the results indicate that a conventional epidemiological study wou ld have underestimated the number of surfaces filled for caries by 50% . The paper concludes by suggesting that consideration should be given to novel ways of collecting data so that more information is availabl e on the etiology, prediction and management of the disease.