ROOT CARIES AND ROOT DEFECTS IN URBAN AND RURAL ADULTS - THE FLORIDA DENTAL-CARE STUDY

As part of the Florida Dental Care Study-a longitudinal study of risk factors for changes in dental health-the authors examined and intervie wed 873 adults aged 45 years and older, During the examination, clinic ians noted the number of teeth present and the participant's dental co ndition, including presence of root caries and fillings or noncarious defects on the roots. The interview was conducted to collect demograph ic and other information such as the adults' perceptions about dental care and their perceptions about their own dental health, The authors found that men, African-Americans, adults living in rural areas and th ose living in poverty were significantly more likely to have root cari es than other participants. The data reported in this article will ser ve as baseline information for subsequent research.