Occlusal Caries - Early Detection in School-based Dental Screenings

Concomitant to the general caries decline in children and adolescents, caries is mainly concentrated on occlusal surfaces of permanent molars. While occlusal cavities have been shifted to non-cavitated lesions, school-based visual tactile screenings on a cavity level based on the WHO standard (1997) are of limited value as evidence. To avoid cavities or extended restorations Current dentistry targets at early prevention or minimal intervention. School-based Visual screenings of non-cavitated lesions may Support the preventive care strategies of dental practioners. A comparative diagnostic study in 8- to 12-year olds in the Westfalian Ennepe-Ruhr district showed that occlusal surfaces scored as primarily Sound Under the WHO standard in fact revealed a high need for preventive (43%) and operative (30%) treatment after using additional Visual and laser optical diagnostic measurements. Because of the limited information of the laser optical findings, laser fluorescence diagnostics Should not be included in school-based dental screenings. Compromises are needed to introduce Visual diagnostic examinations in school-based dental screenings.