Epidemiologic indices for pulp treatment and extraction of primary molars

The purpose of the present study is to introduce and discuss four indices to be used in epidemiologic recording of pulp treatment and extraction of primary molars. The indices are constructed on the basis of the four combinations existing between pulp treatment/no pulp treatment and extraction/no extraction. The NPE-index (No Pulp treatment or Extraction) reflects the relative number of teeth which are neither extracted nor pulp treated. EPM-index (Extracted Primary Molars) reflects the relative number of teeth, which have been extracted. PPM-index (Pulp treated Primary Molars) reflects the relative number of teeth which have been pulp treated. PNE-index (Pulp treatment No Extraction) reflects the relative number of pulp treated and not extracted teeth.