title: Caries risk profile using the Cariogram in governmental and private orthodontic patients at de-bonding.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze various caries-related factors in orthodontic patients at de-bonding, and to test the null hypothesis that there is no difference in caries risk between governmental and private orthodontic patients immediately after orthodontic treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional examination was carried out on 89 orthodontic patients aged 13-29 years, mean age 21.5 years. They were divided into two groups based on the center of treatment, governmental group (G) (n  =  45) and private group (P) (n  =  44). The investigation comprised a questionnaire, plaque scoring, caries examination, bitewing radiographs, salivary secretion rate, buffering capacity, and cariogenic microorganisms. Data were entered into the Cariogram PC program to illustrate caries risk profiles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Findings revealed that "the chance of avoiding new cavities," according to the Cariogram, was high in the P-group and low in the G-group (61% and 28%, respectively) (P < .001). Decayed, missing, and filled surfaces (DMFS), plaque index, mutans streptococcus and lactobacillus counts, and salivary buffer capacity were significantly higher in the G-group compared with the P-group (P < .05). The total number of caries lesions at de-bonding in the G-group was more than two times higher than that in the P-group (150 vs 68) (P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The "chance to avoid new cavities" in orthodontic patients at de-bonding was less in the governmental group compared with the private group, as illustrated by the Cariogram. The governmental group also had significantly less favorable values than the private group for most of the caries-related factors.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Cariology and Orthodontics, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden. naifalmosa@me.com
authors.forename: Naif Abdullah
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Almosa
authors.forename: Anas H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Al-Mulla
authors.forename: Dowen
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Birkhed
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D058491:Bacterial Load; D002021:Buffers; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000382:microbiology; D003733:Dental Caries Susceptibility; D017005:Dental Debonding; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006078:Government Programs; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008297:Male; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective; D011331:Private Practice; D016300:Radiography, Bitewing; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism; D012636:Secretory Rate / Q000502:physiology; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000302:isolation & purification; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002021:Buffers; D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D005459:Fluorides