Caries risk assessment in young adults: A 3-year validation of clinical guidelines used in Public Dental Service

• Objectives. To validate a risk classification model according to the Public Dental Service (PDS) guidelines with the actual 3-year caries outcome in terms of predictive values. Materials and methods. All 19-year-old patients registered at eight public dental clinics in Skane, Sweden were invited to participate (n = 1699). The study group who completed the baseline examination consisted of 1295 subjects, representing 10% of the age group attending the public dental care in the region. A risk classification of each patient in four categories was made by the patient's regular team according to the guidelines. At the follow-up 3 years later, 75.8% were accessible. The final examinations included bitewing radiographs and the actual caries increment for 982 patients was calculated. Results. At baseline, 11.9% were assessed as being at 'high' or 'very high' risk. The dropouts had significantly more caries than the remaining patients (p < 0.05). The general disease activity was low, but those grouped into the two highest risk groups displayed significantly more new caries than those at lower risk (p < 0.05). With a cutoff value DDFS > 0 vs DFS = 0, the sensitivity was 81% and the specificity 56% for 'low' risk vs any risk. By combining the 'low' and 'some' risk categories, the PDS model generated an improved specificity (94%). Conclusions. The risk assessment scheme used by the Public Dental Service for young adults relied basically on past and current caries activity and 65-70% of the patients were correctly classified. The model was most effective to screen out patients with low caries risk.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Odontologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Dentistry (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

risk classification

guidelines

risk model

risk classification

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art (ämneskategori)

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