266 - Caries Experience Based on a Visual Screening and a Routine Examination

Caries Experience Based on a Visual Screening and a Routine Examination
Examination, Kuchari A, Macek MD, Dhar V (University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD)

Purpose: To assess and compare caries experience in children determined based on a visual screening and a routine examination with radiographs in dental office.

Methods: Screening of 118 patients using flashlight and tongue depressor at the University of Maryland Pediatric Dentistry Clinic by a pediatric dentist. Inclusion criteria: (1) parent consent, (2) patient ages 5 to 10 years old, (3) healthy and cooperative patients and (4) diagnostic radiographs. A second evaluation by a pediatric dental resident in the dental chair for a routine clinical examination with radiographs. Caries experience in primary and permanent dentitions was recorded (dft+DFT). Characteristics studied included type of dentition, access to fluoridated water, and type of insurance. Exclusion criteria: no or undiagnostic radiographs.

Results: Examination included 118 children (73 boys and 45 girls), average age 8 years. Over 80% participants were Hispanic or African Americans having a public dental insurance or uninsured. The mean visual screening dft+DFT and routine examination with radiographs dft+DFT were 3.33 and 6, respectively. Caries prevalence by the visual screening was 79.9% and 98.9% by routine examination with radiographs (P=.046). There was significant difference between the two examinations in all ages (P <.0001).

Conclusion: There is a significant difference in the number of children diagnosed with caries, and the overall caries experience detected by routine examination with radiographs versus visual screening alone. Based on our findings, the visual screening utilized in prevalence studies is likely to underestimate the true extent of caries experience in children by 10%.