ASSESSMENT OF CARIES RISK USING CARIES RISK ASSESSMENT TOOL AMONGST 12-15 YEARS OLD CHILDREN IN MORADABAD CITY

AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY

Abstract

Aims and Objectives: To assess the caries risk in 12-15 year old children in Moradabad city by utilizing caries risk assessment tool.
Settings & Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 2000 school going children of age 12-15 years in Moradabad city.

Material & Methods: A survey was conducted on 2000 school going children of age 12-15 years. The children were interviewed by the questionnaire based on The Caries Risk Assessment Tool. For those children, who didn't have visible caries, caries activity test was done. The subjects assigned, as low, moderate, and high-risk groups based on standard questionnaires and caries activity test. Statistical analysis of the data was done using chai square test.

Results: All the parameters viz; frequency of routine dental visits, decay in some teeth, salivary impairment, time of decay, plaque, gingivitis, area of demineralization, deep pits and fissures, sibling's decay, socioeconomic status of the child's parents, in-between meal sugar exposure, fluoride exposure, brushing technique, caries activity test (for the subjects without visible caries), and wearing braces except motor disability (none of the subjects had motor disability) have significant impact on caries risk.

Conclusion: Almost all factors showed a significant impact upon the caries risk. Caries found to decrease with increase in dental visits and frequency of brushing.