Caries Experience Based on A Simulated Epidemiological Screening and Routine Examination with Radiographs
Abstract
Purpose: To assess and compare caries experience in 5-10-year-old children based on an
epidemiological “screening” examination and a routine examination with radiographs.
Methods: One hundred and twenty eight patients were examined in conditions simulating
epidemiological screening and routine examination with radiographs.
Results: Caries experience and untreated dental caries were higher by the routine
examination with radiographs than the simulated epidemiological screening. There were
no statistically significant differences between groups for all but one of the
sociodemographic variables, the younger children had more untreated dental caries than
the older children group.
Conclusion: There is a difference in the prevalence and severity of untreated carious
lesions and overall caries experience detected by epidemiological screening vs. routine
examination with radiographs. Differences in prevalence and severity are not associated
with sociodemographic characteristics but one variable. In our study, untreated dental
caries teeth were underestimated by 23.4% and caries experience was underestimated to
13.3%.
Description
Keywords
caries experience, routine examination, radiographic screening, untreated dental caries, simulated epidemiological screening, severity of caries, prevalence of caries