Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 12, 2025
Nasal Brushing Sampling and Processing Using Digital High Speed Ciliary Videomicroscopy – Adaptation for the COVID-19 Pandemic
Published on: November 7, 2020
How did CariesCare International perform under pandemic conditions in children? A one-year, multicentre,
Stefania Martignon1, Edgar O Beltrán2, Gail V A Douglas3
1UNICA, Caries Research Unit, Research Department, Universidad El Bosque, Bogotá, Colombia. martignonstefania@unbosque.edu.co.
Insights
The CariesCare International (CCI) approach effectively controlled caries progression in children over one year, demonstrating high acceptance among parents and dentists. This risk-based, patient-centered strategy proved feasible even with pandemic-related adaptations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Public Health Dentistry
- Caries Management
Background:
- CariesCare International (CCI) is a practice-based, risk-oriented caries management system.
- The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated adaptations to CCI, shifting to a non-aerosol generating procedure (non-AGP) protocol with reduced on-site consultations.
- Testing CCI's effectiveness in a pandemic context required a modified interventional study design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the caries progression control of a pandemic-adapted CCI protocol in children aged 3-8 years.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a single intervention over a 12-month period.
- To determine the acceptance of the adapted CCI protocol by parents and dental practitioners.
Main Methods:
- A 12-month, multicenter, single-group interventional study involving 16 centers and 337 children.
- Examiners assessed caries risk, oral health behaviors, caries lesions (International Caries Detection and Assessment System), dental sepsis, and toothache at baseline and one-year follow-up.
- Practitioners delivered a one-year CCI-adapted personalized care plan.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant decrease in the mean number of tooth surfaces with caries lesions from 8.4 to 6.2 (p <0.05).
- 75.1% of children demonstrated controlled caries progression, with 86.6% having high caries risk and 72.7% exhibiting non-adequate oral health behaviors.
- High acceptance rates of the CCI protocol were reported by parents and dentists.
Conclusions:
- The one-year implementation of the adapted CCI protocol demonstrated effective control of caries progression in children.
- The study highlights the feasibility and high acceptance of the CCI approach, even with pandemic-induced modifications.
- CCI represents a viable, patient-centered, risk-based strategy for managing dental caries in pediatric populations.
Abstract:
Introduction CariesCare International (CCI) is a practice-friendly, health outcomes-focused, patient-centred, risk-based approach to caries management designed for the practice. The unfeasibility of a randomised clinical trial and of aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) during the COVID-19 pandemic to test the caries control effectiveness of CCI shifted it to a non-AGP, reduced on-site consultation, single-interventional study.Aim This 12-month, multicentre, single-group, interventional study aimed at primarily assessing the control of caries progression of a pandemic CCI-adapted protocol in children.Methods In total, 17 centres (n≥ 20, 3-8-year-old children/centre) were included. Trained examiners assessed (baseline: T0; one-year follow-up: T1y): CCI caries risk; oral health-related behaviours; decayed, missing and filled teeth (primary, permanent) with the epidemiological merged International Caries Detection and Assessment System (severity, activity); dental sepsis; and toothache. Trained practitioners performed one-year CCI-adapted personalised care. Dental care process acceptance was assessed in parents and dentists.Results A total of 16 centres finished the study (n = 337, 78.6%; mean age: 5.5 ± 1.6 years). There was a T0-T1y decrease in the mean number of combined primary and permanent tooth surfaces with caries lesions (8.4 ± 9.7 to 6.2 ± 7.6), with most children showing control of caries progression (75.1%), high caries risk (86.6%) and non-adequate oral-health behaviour (72.7%) (p <0.05). CCI acceptance was very high in parents and high/very high in dentists.Discussion The limitations given by the pandemic challenges, the single-interventional study design, and the non-AGP and reduced in-office-consultation adaptations, might as well highlight the shown caries progression control, feasibility and acceptance of CCI.Conclusion The one-year implementation of CCI showed control of caries progression and of risk and high acceptance among parents and dentists.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:26Assessment of the Mouth
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:26Standard Precaution
Hand hygiene is the most crucial means to prevent the transmission of disease. Employers are legally required to provide their workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure or contact with...
01:27Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
01:30Preventive Healthcare Services