Root caries in older adults: A co-citation network analysis (1980-2023)

BACKGROUND: Root caries affect the oral health and quality of life of older adults. This study examines the breadth of global research on this topic, aiming to clarify its expansive scope and to shed light on pertinent trends for new researchers in the field.

OBJECTIVE: To identify key advances in root caries research as highlighted in high-quality articles from the Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) as well as to explore emerging trends and perspectives.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the Web of Science (WoS) database, we conducted a comprehensive review of articles related to root caries in older adults. Our focus was on finding high-quality SSCI articles, identifying major contributors, journals and research trends and exploring areas such as dentistry, oral surgery and medicine for potential future research.

RESULTS: Our analysis included 192 articles, each of which was subjected to bibliometric and VOS viewer evaluations. The results revealed a concentration of studies in dentistry, oral surgery and medicine, with gaps identified in areas like anthropology, biochemistry, molecular biology and chemistry. A notable deficiency was found in root caries management.

CONCLUSION: We discuss research gaps and propose future directions based on our findings, emphasising interdisciplinary research approaches.