Article information
Year 2019 Volume 69 Issue 2 Page 237-246
Title:
A Caries Risk Assessment Tool for Thai Children 3 Years Old or Younger
Keyword(s):
Dental caries, Caries risk assessment, Infant, Toddler
Abstract:
There is a need for caries risk assessment tools for very young children that have acceptable predictive
power. The objectives of the present study were to construct and assess predictive abilities of a caries increment risk
assessment for very young children. Data collection was conducted from 133 pairs of children younger than 3 years 
old and their caregivers in child care centers. Caregivers were interviewed for caries related factors. Two dental
examinations were conducted at baseline and about 6 months thereafter. The transition of caries between the two
exams was classified into having caries increment or not. The data-splitting concept was used by dividing the data
into 75:25 ratios. The larger part (75 %) was used to construct the assessment tool. Question selection for the tool
was based on associations between caries associated factors and having caries increment using the chi-square test.
Significant associated factors and factors tending to be associated with caries increment were selected for core and
additional factors. Scores for core and additional factors were set. The total risk score for each child was calculated
and then used to find a cutoff that gave the highest sum of sensitivity and specificity associating with having caries
increment. The cutoff was used for classifying the caries risk level. The new assessment tool was validated in the
remaining new subjects (25 %). The risk score of each individual was used to classify the caries risk and the association
with having caries increment. The results of the new assessment tool for sensitivity and specificity were 66.7 and
84.6, respectively. The predictive power of the tool was 151.3. From the findings, it can be concluded that the new
assessment tool had acceptable predictive power. The tool can be easily used with no additional test required,
which is appropriate in a limited resources context.