Caries-risk assessment in early childhood using a caries activity test

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Caries-risk assessment based on the individual caries-risk is very important in the public health setting. The objective was to longitudinally assess the caries-risk of each group using cutoff points. Each groups were low, moderate, progressive border, improved border, moderately high, and high caries-risk groups which were determined based on the 18-month and 2-year-old current and 3.5-year-old predicted cutoff points. METHODS: This study was a two-year longitudinal study of 1,206 children born in 2000. The children were divided into six caries-risk groups using the current and 3.5-year-old predicted cutoff points at 18 months and 2 years of age. It was investigated as to which caries-risk assessment was better. RESULTS: The 3.5-year-old predicted cutoff points calculated based on the 18-month and 2-year-old caries activities were more suitable for caries-risk assessment through analysis of significant differences of the mean numbers of dft in each groups. CONCLUSION: It was suggested that researchers and practitioners should try to keep caries-risk of children in the low or moderate caries-risk groups for caries prevention.