IADR Abstract Archives
Comparison between total caries prevalence and cavitated caries lesions prevalence in 2 years-old children in Santiago, Chile
Objectives: The aim of this study is to observe the difference between caries prevalence considering all caries lesions (ICDAS II, codes 2-6) and caries prevalence considering only dentin cavitated caries lesions (ICDAS II, codes 5-6) in a sample of 2 years-old children in Santiago, Chile.
Methods: The sample of this cross sectional study was 523 children aged 2 years-old, who assisted to nursery schools in Santiago, Chile. Public nursery schools in Santiago were invited to participate. Two calibrated dentists who examined the children visited 24 nursery schools. Those clinical examinations were performed in a school environment according to ICDAS II criteria. Two values of caries prevalence were calculated. Total caries prevalence: the amount of children who had cavitated and non-cavitated caries lesions (ICDAS II, codes 2-6) and cavitated caries prevalence: the amount of children who had only cavitated caries lesions (ICDAS II, codes 5-6).
Results: Cavitated caries lesions prevalence was 10.13%. Total caries prevalence was 25.24%. There is an absolut difference of 15.11 percent points between both values.
Conclusions: Total caries prevalence is more than twice higher than dentin cavitated caries lesions prevalence. The consideration of dentin cavitation as the only variable to assess prevalence may lead to underestimation of the disease.
Methods: The sample of this cross sectional study was 523 children aged 2 years-old, who assisted to nursery schools in Santiago, Chile. Public nursery schools in Santiago were invited to participate. Two calibrated dentists who examined the children visited 24 nursery schools. Those clinical examinations were performed in a school environment according to ICDAS II criteria. Two values of caries prevalence were calculated. Total caries prevalence: the amount of children who had cavitated and non-cavitated caries lesions (ICDAS II, codes 2-6) and cavitated caries prevalence: the amount of children who had only cavitated caries lesions (ICDAS II, codes 5-6).
Results: Cavitated caries lesions prevalence was 10.13%. Total caries prevalence was 25.24%. There is an absolut difference of 15.11 percent points between both values.
Conclusions: Total caries prevalence is more than twice higher than dentin cavitated caries lesions prevalence. The consideration of dentin cavitation as the only variable to assess prevalence may lead to underestimation of the disease.