title: Development of the Dundee Caries Risk Assessment Model (DCRAM)--risk model development using a novel application of CHAID analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To use a novel statistical analysis in the development of caries risk assessment models for preschool children for use in a particular community setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected longitudinally on a cohort of approximately 1500 children born in one calendar year in the city of Dundee, Scotland. A dental examination and oral microbiological saliva sample, together with parental and health visitor questionnaires, were completed for each child at ages 1, 2, 3 and 4 years. The 1-year data were analysed using chi-squared automated interaction detector analysis (CHAID) to produce a set of caries risk assessment models for predicting caries in 4-year-olds.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four risk models were developed using CHAID analysis for caries at 4 years of age using risk assessment data collected at age 1. These models included two 'any' caries-risk models (n = 697, dmft >0) and two 'high' caries-risk models (n = 784, dmft ≥3) depending on the use of the d(1) (enamel and dentine) or d(3) (dentine only) level of caries detection. The most appropriate model developed for use was shown to be the CHAID high caries-risk model at the d(3) level of detection (d(3) mft ≥3). This had a sensitivity of 65% and specificity of 69%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An appropriate risk assessment model for use in a particular community setting predicting caries at age 4 years from data collected at age 1 year was developed. This has been termed the Dundee Caries Risk Assessment Model.
authors.affiliation: Kings Cross Health and Community Care Centre, Dundee, UK. heather.macritchie@nhs.net
authors.forename: Heather M B
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: MacRitchie
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Longbottom
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: Zoann
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Nugent
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Radford
authors.forename: Nigel B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Pitts
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015233:Models, Statistical; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires