CARIES INCIDENCE ASSESSMENT IN A SCHOOL PROGRAM. A 2 YEAR FOLLOW-UP.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate caries incidence among sub-urban islanders subject to geographical health care barriers, included in a school-based dental care program along 2 consecutive years. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study with 2-year longitudinal follow-up was performed. Study design: 1) Baseline diagnosis: dental status assessment and recording according to ICDAS II criteria (Pitts, 2005) performed by 2 calibrated researchers tested against a gold standard researcher (Kappa interexaminer 0.75 / 0.7); 2) Application of a clinical care protocol according to individual biological risk, within a second complexity level prevention program – carried out intensively at the school premises on yearly basis. 3) Caries lesions assessment 1 and 2 years post-initiation of the intervention, under identical diagnostic conditions as at baseline. Out of a population of 110 to 180 individuals (covered by the intervention annually), a sample of 46 schoolchildren was selected according to inclusion criteria: persistence for two consecutive years on the program, beginning at ages 5 to 8. Dental surfaces presenting ICDAS lesion code = 0 at baseline were selected for analysis (n = 4881). Statistical processing: Frequency distribution of qualitative variables; mean and standard deviation of age were determined. Caries incidence (percentage of total surfaces with lesion code ?1) was calculated post 1 year, along the 2nd year, and cumulative incidence 2 years post-program initiation. Exact binomial tests were used for group comparison. RESULTS: Caries incidence was 6.2% post 1 year, and 2.6% along the 2nd year. Cumulative incidence post 2 years was 8.8%. CONCLUSION: Caries incidence in an islander school population participating in a school-based dental care preventive program, showed a decreasing trend over time.