Diagonal half-mouth recording of restorative and exodontic needs

Partial recording of dental caries prevalence and incidence has been frequently recommended and employed. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the partial recording of restorative and exodontic needs using an alternating diagonal half-mouth examination gives results which can accurately represent complete recording. Diagonal half-mouth recording was simulated by computer and gave results which closely represented the complete recording of the same sample of subjects. Partial recording lost a low proportion of the information collected by complete recording. Less frequently observed items of treatment showed highest proportions of information loss. If increases in the number of subjects in a sample can be achieved due to reductions in resources required for each subject, a proportional loss of information may be turned to a proportional gain of information. Reasons for the current recommendations against a diagonal half-mouth examination for the recording of restorative and exodontic needs are postulated and discussed.