Fatores associados à cárie radicular em idosos institucionalizados

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate the factors associated with root caries (RC) in institutionalized elderly persons. Methods: this is an observational study, of the individuated type, with the institutionalized elderly as a unit of analysis. All the elderly with teeth (n=100), living in nine Long-Term Care Institutions for the Elderly in the city of Natal/RN/Brazil, were examined. Data collection consisted of a questionnaire and oral epidemiological examination (use of prosthesis, periodontal and root condition). For the analysis of the data, a descriptive analysis of the sample, chi-square, Fisher's exact, Student's t tests and relation to the outcome with a 95% confidence level. Results: the prevalence of elderly individuals with RC was 17% (10% -24%), most of them female (17,1%), with a mean of 78.65 years (± 9.86), residing in non-profit institutions (22,4%), illiterate or school-aged children up to elementary school (21,9%), xerostomic drug users (15,6%), smokers (23,7%) who do not consume sweets (15,8%) and sticky foods (15,5%) between meals and do not use alcohol (14,6%). Most stated that their last visit to the dentist was a year ago or more (19,6%), have the habit of brushing their teeth (15,1%) and do not use dental floss (17,8%) or upper (22,1%) and lower (18,5%) dentures. The use of superior prosthesis (p=0,010), number of sextants with bleeding (p=0,029), calculation (p=0,020) and presence of periodontal pockets (p=0,015) were significantly associated with RC. Conclusion: The prevalence of RC is in line with most of the studies, being considered low and its presence is significantly associated with periodontal factors (bleeding, calculation and periodontal pocket).