Validation of Visual Caries Activity Assessment: A 2-yr Cohort Study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Dentistry
• Dental Public Health
• Cariology

Background:

• Early detection of dental caries in primary teeth is crucial for effective management.
• The International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) is widely used, but its associated caries activity assessment needs further validation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the predictive and construct validity of a caries activity assessment system linked with ICDAS in primary teeth.
• To determine if active caries lesions predict future lesion progression and new lesion development.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal study involving 469 children (12-59 months old) reexamined after 2 years.
• Baseline assessment used ICDAS and a caries activity system.
• Predictive validity assessed by lesion progression risk (active vs. inactive lesions).
• Construct validity assessed by the association between active lesions and new lesion development.

Main Results:

• Noncavitated active occlusal caries lesions showed a higher risk of progression compared to inactive lesions.
• Children with more active lesions and higher caries experience were more likely to develop new lesions.
• The caries activity system demonstrated predictive validity for occlusal caries progression.

Conclusions:

• The caries activity system, when used with ICDAS, shows predictive and construct validity for assessing occlusal caries lesions in primary teeth.
• Predictive validity was not established for smooth surfaces using this system.
• This system can aid in identifying children at risk for caries progression in primary dentition.