TY - JOUR

T1 - Caries risk assessment in young adults

T2 - a 3 year validation of the Cariogram model

AU - Petersson, Gunnel Hänsel

AU - Twetman, Svante

PY - 2015

Y1 - 2015

N2 - BACKGROUND: To validate baseline caries risk classifications according to the Cariogram model with the actual caries development over a 3-year period in a group of young adults living in Sweden.METHODS: The study group consisted of 1,295 19-year-old patients that completed a comprehensive clinical baseline examination, including radiographs and salivary tests. An individual caries risk profile was computed and the patient was placed in one of five risk categories. After 3 years, 982 patients (75.8%) were re-examined and caries increment for each patient was calculated. The outcome was expressed as sensitivity, specificity and predictive values and compared with a risk assessment scheme used in Public Dental Service.RESULTS: The drop-outs displayed more risk factors and a significantly higher caries burden at baseline compared with those that remained in the project (p < 0.05). There was a strong association between the Cariogram risk categories and the 3-year caries increment on cavity level but the predictive values were modest. The high or very high caries risk categories yielded high specificities (>90%) but poor sensitivities. The low risk groups displayed higher sensitivities on expense of impaired specificities. No combinations proved clinically useful values according to Yuoden's index.CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of the present study, the computer-based Cariogram did not perform better than a caries risk assessment scheme based on past caries experience and caries progression, over a 3-year period in young adults.

AB - BACKGROUND: To validate baseline caries risk classifications according to the Cariogram model with the actual caries development over a 3-year period in a group of young adults living in Sweden.METHODS: The study group consisted of 1,295 19-year-old patients that completed a comprehensive clinical baseline examination, including radiographs and salivary tests. An individual caries risk profile was computed and the patient was placed in one of five risk categories. After 3 years, 982 patients (75.8%) were re-examined and caries increment for each patient was calculated. The outcome was expressed as sensitivity, specificity and predictive values and compared with a risk assessment scheme used in Public Dental Service.RESULTS: The drop-outs displayed more risk factors and a significantly higher caries burden at baseline compared with those that remained in the project (p < 0.05). There was a strong association between the Cariogram risk categories and the 3-year caries increment on cavity level but the predictive values were modest. The high or very high caries risk categories yielded high specificities (>90%) but poor sensitivities. The low risk groups displayed higher sensitivities on expense of impaired specificities. No combinations proved clinically useful values according to Yuoden's index.CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of the present study, the computer-based Cariogram did not perform better than a caries risk assessment scheme based on past caries experience and caries progression, over a 3-year period in young adults.

KW - Buffers

KW - Cariostatic Agents

KW - DMF Index

KW - Dental Caries

KW - Dental Caries Susceptibility

KW - Disease Progression

KW - Female

KW - Fluorides

KW - Follow-Up Studies

KW - Food Habits

KW - Health Status

KW - Humans

KW - Lactobacillus

KW - Male

KW - Pharmaceutical Preparations

KW - Physical Examination

KW - Predictive Value of Tests

KW - Prospective Studies

KW - Radiography, Bitewing

KW - Risk Assessment

KW - Saliva

KW - Sensitivity and Specificity

KW - Streptococcus mutans

KW - Toothbrushing

KW - Young Adult

U2 - 10.1186/1472-6831-15-17

DO - 10.1186/1472-6831-15-17

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 25627618

VL - 15

SP - 1

EP - 5

JO - BMC Oral Health

JF - BMC Oral Health

SN - 1472-6831

M1 - 17

ER -