Caries risk assessment in schoolchildren--a form based on Cariogram software.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Dentistry
• Dental Public Health
• Caries Risk Assessment

Background:

• Identifying caries risk factors is crucial for understanding a patient's cariogenic profile.
• The Cariogram software offers a method for caries risk analysis, with suggested protocols for simplification.
• Early identification of caries risk in children is essential for preventive interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a novel Caries Risk Assessment (CRA) form, based on Cariogram software, for classifying caries risk in schoolchildren.
• To assess the relationship between caries risk and specific variables within the CRA form.
• To determine the efficacy of the CRA form in identifying children at different levels of caries risk.

Main Methods:

• A survey involving 150 schoolchildren aged 5-7 years.
• Caries prevalence assessed using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) II.
• Data for the Cariogram-based CRA form collected via clinical examination and parental questionnaires.
• Statistical analysis using linear regression and forward stepwise multiple regression.

Main Results:

• High caries prevalence observed: 98.6% including enamel and dentine lesions, 77.3% for dentine lesions only.
• 86% of children were classified as moderate caries risk.
• Significant regression model (R²=0.904, p<0.00001) identified key factors: caries experience, oral hygiene, food consumption frequency, sugar intake, and fluoride sources.

Conclusions:

• The developed CRA form successfully classified schoolchildren into low, moderate, and high caries risk categories.
• Caries experience, oral hygiene, food consumption frequency, sugar consumption, and fluoride sources are strongly correlated with caries risk.
• The CRA form provides a valuable tool for targeted caries prevention strategies in pediatric populations.