Differences in caries status and caries recording within and between two counties in Sweden

One-hundred and seventy-six randomly selected 16-year-old children from six clinics in two neighbouring counties were examined by the dentists who see the patients every year, as well as by two calibrated examiners (two of the authors). Compared to the dentists, working in the dental clinics, the authors consistently noted a higher total caries score (DMFS + incipient lesions). The differences were statistically significant in four of the six clinics and most pronounced on incipient lesions. Furthermore, there was a significant difference in caries prevalence between the two counties. Possible explanations for the difference are resources available and efforts put into preventive dentistry.