Epidemiological profile of early childhood caries in a sub-urban population in Nigeria

Background The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and severity of early childhood caries (ECC) in children 6–71-months; identify the teeth most at risk for ECC; and identify risk indicators associated with significant caries index (SiC) score in different age groups. Methods This was a cross-sectional study that collected data (using a household survey) on the ECC risk indicators (frequency of tooth brushing, consumption of refined carbohydrate in-between-meals, daily use of fluoridated toothpaste, and dental service utilization in the 12 months) in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. We computed the prevalence of ECC using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDASI (d1–6)) index; caries severity using the ICDAS-2(d1–2) and ICDAS-3(d3–6) for non-cavitated and cavitated lesions respectively, decayed missing, filled teeth (dmft), and surfaces (dmfs) and SiC indices; and caries complications using the pulp (p), ulceration (u), fistula (f) and abscesses (a) (pufa) index, for children 6–11-months-old, 12–23-months-old, 23–35-months-old, 35–47-months-old; 48–59-months-old and 60–71-months-old. The differences in the mean dmft, dmfs, pufa scores, and ICDAS 1, 2, and 3 scores, and proportion of children with each ECC risk indicator were computed. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify risk indicators for the ECC SiC index score for each age group. Results The prevalence of ECC was 4.7%: 2.9% had non-cavitated lesions and 2.8% had cavitated lesions. The mean (SD) dmft, dmfs and pufa scores were 0.13 (0.92), 0.24 (1.91) and 0.04 (0.46) respectively. The dmft and dmfs scores were highest among the 24–35-months-olds while the SiC score was highest among the 12–23-months-olds. There were no significant differences in dmft, dmfs, and pufa scores between the different age groups. Toothbrushing more than once a day was the only factor associated with the SiC score: it decreases the odds for the SiC score in children 48–59-months-old. The teeth worst affected by ECC were #85 and #61. Conclusion The prevalence, severity and risk indicator for ECC seems to differ for each age group. The granular details on the risk profile of children with ECC in this population with a low ECC prevalence and burden can allow for the planning of age-targeted interventions.

How combining different caries lesions characteristics may be helpful in short-term caries progression prediction: model development on occlusal surfaces of primary teeth

Background Few studies have addressed the clinical parameters' predictive power related to caries lesion associated with their progression. This study assessed the predictive validity and proposed simplified models to predict short-term caries progression using clinical parameters related to caries lesion activity status. Methods The occlusal surfaces of primary molars, presenting no frank cavitation, were examined according to the following clinical predictors: colour, luster, cavitation, texture, and clinical depth. After one year, children were re-evaluated using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System to assess caries lesion progression. Progression was set as the outcome to be predicted. Univariate multilevel Poisson models were fitted to test each of the independent variables (clinical features) as predictors of short-term caries progression. The multimodel inference was made based on the Akaike Information Criteria and C statistic. Afterwards, plausible interactions among some of the variables were tested in the models to evaluate the benefit of combining these variables when assessing caries lesions. Results 205 children (750 surfaces) presented no frank cavitations at the baseline. After one year, 147 children were reassessed (70%). Finally, 128 children (733 surfaces) presented complete baseline data and had included primary teeth to be reassessed. Approximately 9% of the reassessed surfaces showed caries progression. Among the univariate models created with each one of these variables, the model containing the surface integrity as a predictor had the lowest AIC (364.5). Univariate predictive models tended to present better goodness-of-fit (AICs < 388) and discrimination (C:0.959–0.966) than those combining parameters (AIC:365–393, C:0.958–0.961). When only non-cavitated surfaces were considered, roughness compounded the model that better predicted the lesions' progression (AIC = 217.7, C:0.91). Conclusions Univariate model fitted considering the presence of cavitation show the best predictive goodness-of-fit and discrimination. For non-cavitated lesions, the simplest way to predict those lesions that tend to progress is by assessing enamel roughness. In general, the evaluation of other conjoint parameters seems unnecessary for all non-frankly cavitated lesions.

Topographic Distribution of Proximal Cavitated Lesions on Primary Mandibular Molars

Introduction: Increased prevalence of proximal caries in primary teeth and its difficult diagnosis makes it necessary to develop newer diagnostic tools for accurate detection of these lesions. International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) and its associated International Caries Classification and Management System (ICCMS) is a newer system that uses ICDAS for clinical staging of caries and ICDAS Radiographic score for radiographic staging of carious lesion. Aim: To the topographical distribution of proximal cavitated lesions on the mandibular arch and on primary mandibular molar tooth surface and to determine the extent of the agreement between clinical and radiographic examination in identifying proximal cavitated lesions involving primary mandibular molars. Materials and Methods: An observational study between July 2018-August 2019 in a total of 100 (60 first and 40 second primary molars) primary mandibular molars (D or E) was conducted. Proximal cavitation involving primary mandibular molars were examined both clinically (ICCMS caries merged category scores) and radiographically (ICDAS Radiographic scoring system) and the correlation between both scores were also analysed. Results: First primary molar was observed to have statistically significant prevalence of proximal cavitation (p-value ≤0.001) both clinically and radiographically as compared to second primary molar. Distal surface was observed to have more carious lesions as compared to mesial surface (p-value=0.003). Also, a statistically significant correlation was observed between the clinical and radiographic scores (p-value ≤0.001). Conclusion: Mandibular first primary molar is more prone to proximal cavitation along with chances of distal surface cavitations being higher.

Caries severity and socioeconomic inequalities in a nationwide setting: data from the Italian National pathfinder in 12-years children

This study presents the result of the second National pathfinder conducted in Italy on children’s oral health, reporting the prevalence and severity of caries in 12-year old children and describing the caries figure related to the socioeconomic inequalities, both at individual level and macroeconomic level. The two-digit codes related to ICDAS (International Caries Detection and Assessment System) for each tooth and the gingival bleeding score were recorded at school on 7,064 children (48.97% males and 51.03% females). The Gross National Product (GNP) per capita, the Gini Index and Unemployment rate in each Italian section, parents’ educational levels, working status, smoking habit and their ethnic background were recorded. Zero-inflated-negative-binomial (ZINB) models were run, using caries-free teeth, teeth with enamel lesions, cavitated lesions and restorations as functions of socioeconomic explanatory variables, to evaluate the effects of justifiable economic factors of geographical distribution. The mean number of enamel lesions, cavitated lesions and filled per teeth were statistically significant (p < 0.01) dissimilar among the Italian section. GNP per capita, Gini Index and Unemployment rate were significantly correlated to ICDAS scores and filled teeth. Important differences in ICDAS score values remain among children from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Efforts should be made to improve awareness and knowledge regarding oral health practice and to implement preventive programs and access to dental services in Southern Italy where the disease is still unresolved.

Use of DIAGNOdent and VistaProof in diagnostic of Pre-Cavitated Caries Lesions—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective: To analyse the published evidence of the validity of DIAGNDOdent and VistaProof in diagnosing carious depths in pre-cavitated lesions. Material and methods: A systematic review was carried out after identifying a total of 184 articles, including 27 concerning the qualitative review and a subsequent meta-analysis. The quality of the studies was evaluated by using the QUADAS-2 tool. Results: For DIAGNOdent, the sensitivity value was 0.77, the specificity value was 0.75 and AUC was 0.81 for the global meta-analyses. In relation to subgroups, the values estimated 0.85, 0.76 and 0.86, respectively, for the in vivo group and 0.71, 0.75 and 0.83 for the in vitro group. For VistaProof, sensitivity was 0.81, specificity 0.75 and AUC had a value of 0.80 in the global meta-analysis. For the subgroups, these were considered at 0.75, 0.81 and 0.89, respectively, for the in vivo group and 0.91, 0.74 and 0.76 for the in vitro group. Neither case presented publication bias when analysing the funnel plot, the classic fail-safe number and Egger’s intercept. Conclusion: Both VistaProof and DIAGNOdent are valid as they offer a moderate to high diagnostic effectiveness for dentine depth in pre-cavitated lesions.

Do combinations of clinical parameters related to caries activity status predict progression more accurately than individual parameters?

Few studies have addressed the predictive power of the clinical parameters used in assessing caries lesion activity. This study assessed the predictive validity of evaluating clinical parameters that are related to caries lesion activity status, individually and combined, in a long-term analysis. The occlusal surfaces of primary molars (1361 surfaces) were examined in 205 children according to the following clinical features: potential for plaque stagnation, colour, luster, cavitation, texture, and clinical depth. Cavities with frankly exposed dentine were excluded from this sample. After 1 year, 148 children (828 surfaces) were re-evaluated using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System to assess caries lesion progression. Progression was set as an outcome to verify the predictive power of the initially assessed clinical parameters. Different combinations of two or more parameters were also tested to check for any association with caries progression. Multilevel Poisson regression analyses were performed and the relative risk for each parameter/combination tested was calculated by considering a confidence interval of 95%. Forty percent of the reassessed surfaces presented caries progression after 1 year. Despite their surface integrity, dentine caries lesions were approximately 10-fold more likely and enamel lesions were approximately three-fold more likely to progress than sound surfaces. Similarly, cavitated lesions showed the highest risk of progression compared to sound/non-cavitated lesions. When only non-cavitated surfaces were considered, roughness proved to be a risk factor for caries progression. In conclusion, the lesions presenting clinical involvement of the dentine and even those cavitations clinically involving only the enamel had a higher risk of progression compared to sound or non-cavitated surfaces. For these lesions, the evaluation of other conjoint parameters seems unnecessary. Nevertheless, surface roughness can be a useful feature in predicting the risk of non-cavitated caries lesion progression.