Caries risk assessment: a comparison between the computer program 'Cariogram', dental hygienists and dentists

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Public Health
• Biostatistics

Background:

• Dental caries remains a significant global health concern.
• Accurate caries risk assessment is crucial for effective preventive strategies.
• The Cariogram is an interactive software designed for graphical caries risk evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the performance of the Cariogram software in assessing patient caries risk.
• To compare the Cariogram's risk assessments with those made by dental hygienists and dentists.
• To explore the utility of the Cariogram in dental education regarding caries etiology.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire detailing five patient cases with nine caries-associated factors was distributed.
• Dental hygienists and dentists were asked to rank patient caries risk.
• Their rankings were compared against the risk assessments generated by the Cariogram program.

Main Results:

• A high degree of agreement was observed between Cariogram assessments and those of dental professionals (73.5% for hygienists, 78.5% for dentists).
• The Cariogram's risk evaluations were largely consistent with the majority of participant opinions.
• The software facilitated discussions on the influence of various etiological factors on caries risk.

Conclusions:

• The Cariogram program demonstrates a reliable correlation with clinical judgment in caries risk assessment.
• It serves as a valuable educational tool for understanding caries etiology and risk factors.
• The Cariogram can be integrated into dental practice and education to enhance caries management.