Caries incidence and risk assessment during a five-year period in adolescents living in south-eastern Sweden.

Abstract

The aim was to examine the caries incidence in adolescents using the Public Dental Service (PDS) during a 5-year period in relation to their caries experience at baseline and risk classification. A 5-year retrospective cohort study based of the dental records from 17 PDS clinics in south-eastern Sweden was conducted; 159 individuals born in 1997 were included, and their caries risk was classified at 12 and 17years of age. Caries prevalence and documented risk groups were assessed at baseline and after 5years. The increment of caries (both initial and manifest caries) was higher, to a statistically significant degree, after 5years in adolescents who were recorded as caries-free at baseline compared to individuals with caries at baseline (P<.001). In individuals with caries at baseline, the greatest increment of caries was found at approximal sites (P<.001). At baseline, individuals were classified as low (94%), medium (6%) and high risk (0%). After 5years, the figures were 74%, 20% and 6%, respectively. Although classified in a low-caries risk group, 9% had ≥6 decayed or filled surfaces at baseline, and 23% did after 5years. Approximately 62% of individuals were registered as caries-free at baseline, and 45% were after 5years. There was an increase in caries over 5years, especially among adolescents without caries experience at baseline. The majority of adolescents had the same risk classification after 5years. Further research with a larger sample size is needed to evaluate risk assessment for caries.