DETERMINATION OF CARIES RISK STATUS ON THE BASIS OF CARIES ACTIVITY

Abstract

The objective of this descriptive cross-sectional study was to determine the caries risk status on the basis of caries activity. This study included clinical examination of 200 male & female students using a predesigned proforma over a period of 3 months. Caries risk status was then determined by results of clinical examination on basis of caries activity, recorded on proformas. Of total 200 students (patients), 111 were females and 89 were males. Caries risk status according to caries lesion activity in 3 years was categorized into 3 groups, i.e. low caries risk, moderate caries risk and high caries risk, their statistics were found to be 33 (16.5%), 149 (74.5%) and 18 (9.0%) respectively. In low caries risk group males were 16 (48.5%) & females were 17 (51.5%). In moderate caries group, males were 64 (43%) while females were 85 (57%) and in high caries risk group, both males & females were found to be equal, i.e. 9 (50%). 6 patients of high caries status (33.3%) were present in 21 years age group. 28 (18.8%) moderate risk patients were present in 22 years age group and 7 (21.2%) low caries risk patients were present in 19 years age group. Determination of caries risk status based on past caries lesion activity is a novel method. This study shows most of the patients fall into moderate caries risk status in which female percentage was higher. This study will help in better understanding of caries progression with regards to age & gender based on caries activity and moreover treatment required to treat each caries risk group tailored to special needs of each patient.