The aim of this study is to summarize the current level of evidence on the prevalence of root caries in elderly population, evaluate the prevalence of root caries in elderly patients living in Canton Bern, Switzerland and to analyze the association between the data collected with demographic and relevant socioeconomic factors, provide relevant long-term clinical, radiographic and oral health related outcomes and to establish a pivotal reference in treatment of elderly patients by means of non-operative root caries treatment.

The study aims to systematically screen the available literature in order to investigate the global root caries prevalence in particular focusing on its correlation with the published data from Switzerland. For this specific research, a comprehensive systematic review of the literature will be conducted. The aim is to summarize the level of evidence on the oral health status of the elderly, in order to gain insights in this relevant research field. By better understanding the actual situation, existing measures focusing on the situation in Switzerland will be identified by pointing of omissions/deficiencies in order to recommend new research directions for their use in future oral health outcomes research.

Thereafter, the study will evaluate the prevalence of root caries in the elderly population living in Canton Bern, Switzerland and analyze the association between the oral data collected with demographic, socioeconomic factors and compromising health conditions. Therefore, a randomized clinical trial with participants older than 45 years limited to Canton Bern will be conducted. To be representative of Canton Bern, a sample size calculation of a total of 136 subjects (sample size calculation n=107 + 25 per cent drop-out) will be applied.

Long-term non-operative treatment results as well as the oral-health status of elderly patients (>45 years of age) having received one of the non-operative treatment methods for root caries treatment will be assessed. From the original pool of patients from Canton Bern all selected individuals will receive one of the non-operative treatment methods for root caries treatment. For the present study, only data collected from patients older than 45 years old at the time of the clinical examination will be used for analysis. The clinical appearance of each root caries lesion will be recorded longitudinally at intervals of up to 6 months and followed up to 18 months. At every single visit the lesions will be clinically and photographically characterized with respect to texture (light probing), color and surface structure (visual inspection and photographic recording) and presence or absence of plaque. If occurrence of presence of plaque and/or gingival trauma is detected, they will be accompanied by oral health instruction at every visit. All participants of the study will receive

• Regular therapy with fluoride toothpaste,
• Placebo or fluoride tooth mousse for at home-use and additionally,
• Twice-yearly professional placebo or fluoride varnish/solution application.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being resident in the area of the canton Bern,
• Age >44 years,
• Three or more root caries
• Lesions ICDAS (W1 or W2) on the first premolar, canines and front teeth of the upper and lower jaw,
• Written declaration of informed consent,
• Capacity to understand questionnaire items related to the compliance of the trial.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Living in long-term care facilities, prisons, hospitals etc.,
• Known allergic reaction to oral hygiene products and/or medication and/or dental material previously used in the mouth or pharynx,
• Inability to follow the procedures of filling out questionnaires or clinical examination, e.g. physical inability to fill in questionnaires

Investigator and Assessor do not know to which group the testing product belongs