Effectiveness of simplified Cariogram models for caries risk assessment

Abstract

Objectives Modification and correction of individual caries risk factors is essential for dental caries management. The risk assessment models should be simple to apply and be acceptable and convenient for patients. The objectives of this study were to assess the caries risk among young adult dental patients and to compare the caries risk profiles obtained from the simplified Cariogram models and the conventional Cariogram model.

Material and Methods Data required for a caries risk assessment with the Cariogram were collected from 80 young adult patients (mean: 23 ± 3.3 years old). Three different simplified Cariogram models were produced with exclusion of either or both salivary secretion rate and lactobacilli count: group 1, conventional model

group 2, both salivary secretion rate and lactobacilli count excluded

group 3, salivary secretion rate excluded

group 4, lactobacilli count excluded.

Results With conventional Cariogram model, the mean chance of avoiding caries was 55.5%, and the susceptibility sector was 13.5%, the diet sector was 13.3%, the bacteria sector was 11.8%, the circumstance sector was 5.7%. The mean chance of avoiding caries in group 1 (55.5%) was not significantly different from those in groups 2 and 3. Also four caries-related sectors of the Cariogram (diet, bacteria, susceptibility and circumstance) in group 1 were not significantly different than in groups 2 and 3. Group 4 showed significant differences from group 1 in the mean chance of avoiding caries, and the diet, susceptibility and circumstance sectors (p < 0.05). Significant correlations were detected between all risk factors and their corresponding risk sectors (p < 0.05). Also there were significant correlations between each risk factor and the chance of avoiding caries, except for the amount of plaque, in groups 1, 2, and 3 (p < 0.05).

Conclusions Dental patients in this study had a medium risk of caries and the dominant sector was the susceptibility sector. The simplified Cariogram model without salivary secretion rate and lactobacilli count did not significantly change the outcome produced from the conventional model. However, single exclusion of lactobacilli count noticeably changed the caries risk profile.