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Pilot validation of the new Canadian Caries Risk Assessment Tool for preschoolers
Robert J Schroth1,2, Adam Siray1, Victor Hk Lee1,2
1Department of Preventive Dental Science, Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
Summary
The Canadian Caries Risk Assessment Tool shows high sensitivity in identifying preschoolers at high risk for cavities. Visible caries and past dental treatment are key predictors of future decay.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Dental Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Caries Risk Assessment (CRA) is crucial for managing and preventing cavities in children.
- Accurate prediction of caries development is essential for timely intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of a new Canadian Caries Risk Assessment Tool (<6 years) for preschoolers.
- To assess the tool's ability to predict future caries development in young children.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort study involving 190 children aged under 6 years in Manitoba, Canada.
- Caries Risk Assessment performed at baseline and 12-month follow-up, including clinical oral examinations and data on fluoride exposure, diet, and socio-economic status.
- Statistical analysis using sensitivity, specificity, and logistic regression to identify predictors of new caries.
Main Results:
- The baseline CRA demonstrated 87.2% sensitivity and 42.7% specificity for predicting new caries development.
- Visible caries and/or prior dental treatment for caries at baseline were the strongest predictors (OR = 6.49).
- Children with a high caries risk score (≥3) were significantly more likely to develop new caries (OR = 4.58).
Conclusions:
- The Canadian Caries Risk Assessment Tool for preschoolers exhibits high sensitivity for identifying high-risk children.
- The tool has modest specificity for identifying low-risk children.
- Visible caries and past dental treatment should be given greater weight in risk assessment scoring.
