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Validity and reproducibility of ICDAS II in primary teeth
L Shoaib1, C Deery, D N J Ricketts
1Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Caries Research
|November 13, 2009
Summary
The International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) II criteria showed acceptable validity and reproducibility for assessing caries in primary teeth. This study confirms ICDAS II
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Dental Diagnostics
- Caries Assessment
Background:
- Accurate caries detection in primary teeth is crucial for timely intervention.
- Existing diagnostic systems require validation for pediatric populations.
- The International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) II is a widely used criteria set.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the validity and reproducibility of the ICDAS II criteria in extracted primary molars.
- To compare ICDAS II performance against histological validation methods.
- To assess both intra- and inter-examiner reliability.
Main Methods:
- 112 extracted primary molars were examined by three independent, trained examiners.
- Teeth were assessed using ICDAS II criteria for occlusal and approximal surfaces.
- Histological validation was performed using Downer and Ekstrand-Ricketts-Kidd (ERK) scoring systems after serial sectioning.
Main Results:
- ICDAS II demonstrated acceptable sensitivity and specificity across various thresholds (D(1)/ERK(1), ICDAS code >=3, D(3)) for both occlusal and approximal surfaces.
- Mean intra-examiner reproducibility (Cohen's kappa) was good, ranging from 0.74 to 0.81.
- Inter-examiner reproducibility was lower, ranging from 0.66 to 0.73.
Conclusions:
- The ICDAS II criteria are valid and reproducible for diagnosing caries in primary molar teeth.
- While intra-examiner reliability is high, efforts to improve inter-examiner consistency are warranted.
- ICDAS II provides a reliable tool for clinical and research applications in pediatric dentistry.
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