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The knowledge and use of population-based methods for caries detection
Ana Luiza Sarno Castro1, Maria Isabel Pereira Vianna2, Carlos Maurício Cardeal Mendes3
1Department of Health, State University of Feira de Santana, Transnordestina, s/n, Novo Horizonte, Feira de Santana, Bahia, CEP 44036-900, Brazil. alscastro@yahoo.com.br.
Public health researchers primarily use the decayed, missing, and filled index (DMF) for dental caries assessment, despite dissatisfaction. Newer methods are largely unknown, highlighting a need for improved dental caries measurement education and adoption.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Dental Research
Background:
- Lack of consensus exists on standardized methods for measuring dental caries in populations.
- Diverse methods have been proposed since the 1980s, yet no single procedure is universally adopted.
- This study examines current practices and rationales for method selection among public oral health professionals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dental caries measurement methods known and utilized by public oral health researchers and professors.
- To understand the reasons influencing the selection of specific caries assessment tools.
- To identify potential gaps in knowledge and application of contemporary caries indices.
Main Methods:
- A quantitative, descriptive study was conducted using questionnaires administered during interviews.
- Participants included public oral health researchers and professors in Salvador and Feira de Santana, Brazil (2005-2015).
- Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) was employed to explore associations between participant characteristics and method choices.
Main Results:
- The decayed, missing, and filled index (DMF) was universally known and the most frequently used method.
- Despite widespread dissatisfaction (45/47 respondents), only a small number had used alternative indices.
- MCA identified correlations between older, male, UFBA-affiliated participants and continued DMF use due to its comparability and WHO/MS recommendations. Younger, female participants from UEFS or other institutions favored DMF for its familiarity and ease of use.
Conclusions:
- The DMF index remains the predominant method for dental caries assessment in this population, despite its limitations.
- A significant gap exists between the desire for improved methods and the actual knowledge and use of newer alternatives.
- There is a critical need to enhance awareness and implementation of advanced dental caries assessment techniques in public oral health research and practice.
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