A CLINICAL STUDY FOR CARIES ACTIVITY OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN USING CARIOSTAT

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Journal of the Korean Academy of Pediatric Dentistry 1998;25(3):576-582.
Published online August 31, 1998.

A CLINICAL STUDY FOR CARIES ACTIVITY OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN USING CARIOSTAT

Cariostat를 이용한 아동의 우식활동에 관한 임상적 연구

백병주, 양정숙, 이영수, 양연미

전북대학교 치과대학 소아치과학교실 및 치의학연구소

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the ability of the caries activity test, 'Cariostat' to identify preschool children with dental caries. The subjects of this study were 76 children of 3 to 5 years of age. Oral examination was carried out to assess the caries experience using a mirror and explorer. In all subjects buccal plaque samples were obtained, incubated, and scored as the manufacturer's instructions for the Cariostat test. Statistical analyses were used with the Crosstabulation. The test group exhibited mean dft index 5.21, while 27.63% of subjects were caries free and had no restorations. The sensitivity of the Cariostat test was found to be 98.8% while the specificity was found to be 19.05% The results showed that caries activity measured by visual reading was highly significant to the Cariostat score and dft index(P<0.001). The Cariostat method has indicated the future possible occurrence of caries. The use of this method is meant to require in the caries prevention program.

Key Words: Caries activity test, Cariostat test, dft index