title: Effectiveness of a preventive program based on caries risk assessment and recall intervals on the incidence and regression of initial caries lesions in children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Evidence on caries risk assessment (CRA) and recall intervals are limited in terms of caries prevention.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effectiveness of a program on the incidence and regression of initial caries lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 296 children aged 1-12 years old were assessed by calibrated examiners for Gingival Bleeding Index, Dental Plaque Index, dmf-t/DMF-T Index, initial caries lesions, and caries lesion activity. Children were classified as low, moderate, and high caries risk with different recall interval visits. Statistical analysis included Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier curves.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean (SD) time of total follow-up for the sample was 11.5(5.5). Higher dmft index at baseline showed a higher risk of new initial lesions (HR = 1.93; P < 0.0001). Higher number of active initial lesions, at baseline and during follow-up visits, is a higher risk predictor for new initial lesions (HR = 9.49; P < 0.0001), as well as for no arrestment of active lesions during follow-up (HR = 1.32; P < 0.0001). Each follow-up visit attended presented a 77% lower risk of initial lesions. The majority (94.8%) of patients did not show new initial lesions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Program is effective on reducing the incidence and promoting regression of initial caries lesions in children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Dental School, University of São Paulo-USP, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Abanto
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Dental School, Methodist University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Celiberti
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Dental School, University of São Paulo-USP, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mariana Minatel
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Braga
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Dental School, University of São Paulo-USP, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Evelyn Alvarez
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Vidigal
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Dental School, University of São Paulo-USP, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Thais
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cordeschi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Dental School, University of São Paulo-USP, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Estela
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Haddad
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Dental School, University of São Paulo-USP, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bönecker
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005457:Fluoridation; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010512:Periodontal Index; D015397:Program Evaluation; D018570:Risk Assessment