CAMBRA as a Tool for Caries Risk Prediction Among 12- to 13-year-old Institutionalised Children - A Longitudinal

Insights

Caries Management by Risk Assessment (CAMBRA) effectively predicted caries risk in institutionalized children. The tool showed high validity and predictive power for identifying children needing intervention.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Dental Public Health
  • Caries Risk Assessment

Background:

  • Dental caries remains a significant public health issue, particularly in institutionalized populations.
  • Accurate caries risk assessment is crucial for targeted prevention and management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the Caries Management by Risk Assessment (CAMBRA) tool for caries risk prediction in 12- to 13-year-old institutionalized children.
  • To validate CAMBRA's predictions against the actual incidence of new caries lesions over a two-year period.

Main Methods:

  • A longitudinal study involving 72 institutionalized children, with baseline data collected in August 2011 and follow-up in August 2013.
  • CAMBRA assessment included nonclinical interviews, plaque index (Silness and Löe), and caries assessment using ICDAS criteria.
  • New caries increments were determined at the two-year follow-up examination.

Main Results:

  • 58.33% of children were classified as high risk for caries.
  • High odds ratios for caries were associated with restorations (OR=7.31), mutans streptococci (OR=7.15), and heavy plaque (OR=5.54).
  • Children identified as moderate and high risk at baseline had 37.5% and 47.6% incidence of new cavities, respectively. CAMBRA demonstrated 47.62% sensitivity and 80% specificity.

Conclusions:

  • The Caries Management by Risk Assessment (CAMBRA) tool proved to be a valid and highly predictive method for assessing caries risk in institutionalized children.
  • Findings support the use of CAMBRA for proactive dental care planning in vulnerable pediatric populations.
Abstract