Comparison of Dental Caries Risk Assessment Using Three Caries Risk Assessment Tools: A Cross- Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction Background: Primary prevention and treatment of carious lesions is an important step to arrest caries progress. This can be achieved by using caries risk assessment tools. The aim of this study was to compare CAMBRA, ADA and CRAFT caries risk assessment tools in children and check the usability of these tools in assigning caries risk.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study children aged 6-14 years were included to evaluate the risk of dental caries. The selected children were clinically examined by a single observer for dental caries status. Data was collected and subjected to CAMBRA, ADA forms and the mobile application CRAFT. The caries risk for each child was evaluated using scores obtained from the caries risk assessment tools. Data was subjected to statistical analysis. A p-value of less than 0.05 was set as statistically significant.

Results: Results showed statistically significant difference between ADA and CRAFT assessment tools (p=0.01), whereas comparison between CAMBRA- ADA and CAMBRA-CRAFT was statistically insignificant (p=0.936, p=0.770 respectively).

Conclusion: Caries risk assessment can serve as an important diagnostic tool to identify the risk factors and provide a risk‑based preventive care that can bridge the oral health inequalities in society.

Clinical relevance: Dental caries is a multifactorial disease and a dynamic process that can be prevented. This prevention can be achieved using caries risk assessment ani using preventive treatment modalities. This study provides evidence for the applicability of the CRAFT caries risk assessment tool for treatment. It also highlights the important measures that should be considered when selecting a caries risk assessment tool to use in clinical practice.