To combat root caries, common practices include oral hygiene instruction, professional cleaning, and regularly application of fluoride varnish Private dental hygienists often prioritize plaque removal and periodontal assessments, while professionals in the public sector frequently perform dietary habit mapping and plaque scoring.
Challenges in providing care are more prevalent in the public sector, particularly due to difficulties associated with elderly patients in institutional settings, such as reduced dexterity, mobility limitations, and ergonomic. These challenges highlight the complexity of meeting the oral health needs of an aging population, many of whom experience physical or cognitive impairments that hinder proper self-care.
Effective preventive strategies, such as the application of high-fluoride toothpaste and non-invasive measures, are essential to reduce the root caries risk. Emphasis on preventive care may also reduce and postpone the need for costly and invasive restorative treatments. Future oral health care for older adults will require expanded roles for dental professionals, increased interdisciplinary collaboration, and greater resource allocation to address the growing demand for specialized care.