Caries experience and risk assessment in 6-year-olds and 14-year-olds living in Malmö, Sweden

Abstract: Aim: to study if children with caries in primary teeth at age 6 had more caries in permanent teeth at age 14 compared to children who were caries-free at age 6. Besides that, if children who were judged as having high caries risk at age 14 had higher DMFT than children with low caries risk in the same age, and if children with high caries risk at age 14 had higher dmft at age 6 than children with low/moderate risk at age 14. Method: Dental records from 2655 15-year-olds were reviewed by two investigators. Information was collected on background information (age, gender, medical status), dmft value and risk assessment at age 6, DMFT value and risk assessment at age 14. Results: Individuals with higher dmft values at age 6 had higher DMFT values at age 14 years. Individuals who were judged as low/moderate risk individuals at age 14 showed less caries experience than individuals who were judged as high/ very high risk individuals. The individuals who were judged as low/moderate risk individuals at age 14 showed less caries experience at age 6 and report less dmft value than individuals who were judged as high/ very high risk individuals. Conclusion: Individuals with higher caries experience at young age had higher DMFT values and were judged as high caries risk individuals at age 14. Therefore, dmft value at young age can be used as a predictor for future carious experience in adolescence.