Clinical Analysis of Cariogram as a Model of Caries Risk Assessment in a group of Egyptian Patients

Abstract

The results of Chi-square test showed that there was a statistically significant difference between Cariogram results in males and females and in different age groups regarding the whole sample, group (2) aged (30- 39)years old males were represented as high risk group for future caries while group (1) aged (20-29) years old and group (3) aged (40-49) years old females were represented as intermediate risk group for future caries. The results of Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests for comparison between caries risk profile and fluoride score of males and females revealed that, the very high risk cases showed statistically significantly highest Fluoride score .Results showed that, there was a statistically significant difference between DMFT among different age groups and between stimulated salivary flow rate among different age groups. Pair-wise comparisons revealed that group (2) aged (30-39) years old females showed the statistically significantly highest mean DMFT and the statistically significantly highest mean stimulated salivary flow rate score. Spearman correlation showed that in group (2) aged (30-39) years old and group (3) aged (40-49) years old females, there was strong positive correlation between DMFT and stimulated salivary flow rate. Under the circumstances of this study, the following conclusions could be suggested: 1- Cariogram model can identify the caries-related factors that could be the reasons for the estimated future caries risk, and therefore help the dentist to plan appropriate preventive and treatment measures in daily clinical practice as it is less time consuming and more economic. Summary And Conclusions 153 2- Both age and sex had a positive effect of net result of Cariogram analysis 3- Variables like caries experience, diet frequency, fluoride program, stimulated salivary flow rate and plaque amount included in the Cariogram presented direct correlation with the caries risk determined by this program Recommendations: 1- Cariogram is an objective, quantitative method that uses a computer program to calculate the data, with results that can be printed out and saved. It also makes a series of recommendations for preventive action according to the caries risk, so it can be applied in dental clinics. 2- Additional researches are needed for assessment of oral health status of Egyptian population. 3- Further studies are mandatory in order to evaluate caries risk assessment in adults as epidemiological studies of dental caries in adults are relatively rare. 4- Caries risk assessment using Cariogram should be applied and repeated regularly as an aid in the preventive and operative management of caries.