Influence of diagnostic adjuncts to the measurement of caries prevalence at different caries thresholds.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the influence of diagnostic adjuncts (dental brushing and drying) in dental caries diagnosis. To analyse the underestimation levels in epidemiological examinations when compared to traditional dental setting examinations. To evaluate the influence of including noncavitated (NC) carious lesions in the estimation of the disease.


METHODS
51, 12-year-old children.


METHODS
Four epidemiological exams performed in an outdoor setting and one performed in a traditional dental setting (visual-tactile method associated or not with diagnostic adjuncts).


METHODS
DMFS (Decayed, Missing and Filled Surfaces) index, according to the WHO criteria.


RESULTS
When compared to exams carried out in a traditional dental setting, the epidemiological examinations showed no significant statistical differences for the DMFS score (p>0.05), presenting underestimation levels lower than 10% (except for the low prevalence caries group in the WHO exam). For the DMFS, previous dental brushing was more relevant than previous dental drying, although drying was the most important resource for NC diagnosis (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The visual/tactile method, with or without diagnostic adjuncts, can diagnose cavitated lesions efficiently, but not NC lesions. However, for the low caries prevalence group, the implementation of dental brushing prior to an exam could be suggested.
Assaf
Andréa Videira
AV
Departamento de Odontologia Social, Avenida Limeira 901, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
Meneghim
Marcelo de Castro
Mde C
Zanin
Luciane
L
Pardi
Vanessa
V
Pereira
Antonio Carlos
AC
Ambrosano
Gláucia Maria Bovi
GM
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003732:Dental Caries Activity Tests / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence