Def Index Research Articles

Prevalence of dental caries in 3-6-year-old children in Prishtina, Kosovo.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the dental caries status in deciduous dentition and associated risk factors in kindergarten children in Prishtina, the capital of Kosovo. A cross-sectional study was performed among 655 kindergarten children aged 3-6 years from Prishtina. Dental health status was assessed using the World Health Organization (WHO) caries diagnostic criteria for decayed, extracted and filled surfaces of the teeth (defs index) in the deciduous dentition. At the same time, a questionnaire was completed with the children's parents/guardians to identify potential risk factors associated with deciduous dental caries. Statistical analysis was performed using frequencies, means, and chi-square test. The deciduous dental caries status of kindergarten children in Prishtina remains serious problem. Regular dental check-ups, accompanied by oral health education through regular tooth brushing, and dental visits are recommended for all kindergarten children and the children's parents/guardians.

Correlation of dermatoglyphics, def index and caries activity test for caries risk assessment in children: A randomised clinical trial

Correlation of dermatoglyphics, def index and caries activity test for caries risk assessment in children: A randomised clinical trial

A comparison of subjective and objective caries risk assessment methods

Background: Dental caries is a serious public health problem significantly affecting oral health. Though there have been many advancements in treating dental caries, complete prevention of dental caries is still beyond reach. Several risk factors are associated with caries formation and progression. Previous studies have been conducted on dental caries and the efficiency of diagnosis using subjective and objective methodologies. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the contradictions in results of subjective and objective interpretations. Methods: A descriptive study was carried out in the clinical setting of rural areas near Chengalpattu. Using convenience sampling, 285 samples were collected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria within the age range of 7–20 years. The subjects were selected from the Outpatient Department of Karpaga Vinayaka Institute of Dental Sciences. American Dental Association (ADA) questionnaires were used for subjective caries risk assessment (CRA), unstimulated salivary samples were collected to measure salivary pH for objective CRA, and DMFT (decayed, missing, filled tooth) and def indices were measured for reference. After data collection, statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22. Chi-square and Pearson correlation tests were performed to find the statistical differences, and a correlation was found between subjective and objective assessment results. Results: In this study, the correlation between objective risk assessment based on salivary pH and actual caries status was slightly better (r=0.159) than other risk assessment methods (r=0.050). Moreover, a negative correlation was found between subjective and objective CRA (r=- 0.062). Conclusion: The study findings show a negative correlation between subjective and objective assessment. Objective CRA using salivary pH was positively correlated with actual caries status.

Assessment of dental caries among a group of institutionalized orphan children compared to parented school children: case–control study

BackgroundIt has been well documented that the absence of family support influences the general and oral health of children. Literature regarding the oral health status of institutionalized orphan children, who lost their families' support, especially in Egypt, remains vague. Therefore, the current study was carried out to assess dental caries among two groups of institutionalized orphan children, and compare their results with a group of parented school children in Giza, Egypt.MethodsA total of 156 children were included in this study, residing in a non-governmental orphanage, a governmental orphanage, and parented children attending private primary school. Written informed consent was obtained before the start of the study from the legal guardians or the child's parent. The dental examination was carried out as recommended by the WHO. DMF and def indices were used to assess dental caries for primary and permanent teeth. Also, the unmet treatment needs index, care index, and significant caries index were calculated.ResultsThe results revealed that mean values for DMF total score were 1.86 ± 2.96, 1.80 ± 2.54, and 0.7 5 ± 1.29 for, non-governmental, governmental orphanages, and school children respectively. While the mean def total scores were 1.69 ± 2.58, 0.41 ± 0.89, and 0.85 ± 1.79 for non-governmental, governmental orphanages, and school children, respectively. There was a high level of unmet treatment needs, especially among orphans. The significant caries index was 2.5, 4.29, and 2.17 for, non-governmental, governmental orphanages, and school children, respectively.ConclusionsWithin the limitation of this case–control study, the institutionalized orphanage children had a high prevalence of dental caries and worse caries experience compared to parented school children. Effective oral health preventive strategies are required to improve the oral health status and oral health practices of those children.Trial registrationThe trial was registered on ClinicalTrial.gov (ID: NCT05652231).

Effectiveness of Silver Diamine Fluoride and Sodium Fluoride Varnish in Preventing New Carious Lesion in Preschoolers: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Dental caries is a site-specific, multifactorial chronic disease affected globally. The prevalence of dental caries is strongly associated with social and economic disadvantage, and also the susceptibility of children to dental caries. Dental caries prevention can be achieved with topical fluoride agents. Topical fluoride promotes the remineralization of early carious lesions and reduces the demineralization of healthy enamel. The aim of this randomized clinical trial was to compare the effectiveness of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) and sodium fluoride varnish (FV) in preventing new carious lesions in preschoolers. This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 285 children aged 3-6 years. Children were randomly allocated into three groups namely, group I-deionized distilled water (DIW), group II-sodium FV, and group III-SDF. The biannual application was performed at an interval of 6 months. New carious lesions were recorded using defs and International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS II) under LED magnifying loupes. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied and tabulated using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 23.0 software. There was a significant difference seen in the mean values of group III (SDF) when compared with group II (FV) and also between group III (SDF) and group I (DIW) when defs index was used. The mean score of ICDAS II after 12 months in group I (DIW) was -1.171, group II (FV) was -0.690, and group III (SDF) was -0.374. silver diamine fluoride (SDF) was found to be most effective in preventing dental caries and also it appears to be the most cost-saving fluoride therapy. Jain A, Deshpande AN, Shah YS, et al. Effectiveness of Silver Diamine Fluoride and Sodium Fluoride Varnish in Preventing New Carious Lesion in Preschoolers: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(1):1-8.

PECULIARITIES OF HARD CARIES OF TEMPORARY TEETH IN CARE IN CHILDREN 4-5 YEARS OLD WITH ADENOID VEGETATIONS

Nowadays, the high prevalence of caries in the population of Ukraine is not surprising. Unfortunately, in some areas especially those with low fluoride rate in potable water, the incidence of caries can reach 100%. The polyetiological concept of dental caries progression creates obstacles in effective treatment and prevention, which would reduce caries rates. Children under the age of 6 are in the risk group for dental caries.
 The somatic state directly and indirectly contributes to the development of cariogenic situation in preschool children. Adenoid hypertrophy is a quite common disease among this group of children; it ranks one of the leading places in the structure of the peadiatric diseases and its prevalence makes up 60%. Diseases of the pharyngeal tonsils have been found out to impact on the quantitative and qualitative indicators of oral fluid, promote insemination of the oral cavity with acid-producing bacteria, reduce the resistance of hard tissues of deciduous teeth.
 In order to solve this problem, 103 children aged from 3 to 5 with adenoid hypertrophy were surveyed. Children from Poltava (Ukraine) had no difference in social statue and living conditions. The presence of adenoid hypertrophy was confirmed by patients` medical records, which also contained the information about the duration of concomitant pathology (less than a year, more than a year). All children were checked for the dental caries intensity, the DEF indices (t) (D – decayed deciduous teeth, E – extracted deciduous teeth due to caries complications, F – filled deciduous teeth) and def (s) (d – surfaces of carious deciduous teeth, e – extracted deciduous teeth, f – filled surfaces of deciduous teeth) were determined, the hygienic condition of the oral cavity was assessed using the Fedorov-Volodkina’s index (1971). The study of the caries intensity of temporary teeth (DEF (t)) was based on assessing caries activity by Vinogradova in accordance with the average intensity in each age group of Poltava. The significance was established as p≤0.05.
 Depending on the degree of caries intensity determined with the above mentioned indices, the research groups of 3 – 5 year old children with adenoid hypertrophy were formed. Thus, 51.5% of the children had I stage (compensated) dental caries intensity, 36.9% of children had II stage (subcompensated) caries intensity and 11.7% had III stage (decompensated) of caries intensity. The study of caries in deciduous teeth revealed a significant difference between the observation groups (p≤0.05).
 The analysis of the obtained results revealed the existence of a direct average correlation between the indicators of the state of oral hygiene in children with adenoid hypertrophy and the intensity of caries according to DEF (t) index (r = “+ “0,6)
 The study results indicate a more intense caries in deciduous teeth in the children with more than a yearlong adenoid hypertrophy in the medical history. Mainly the oral type of respiration in children with the diseases of pharyngeal tonsils creates the grounds for the development of cariogenic situation.
 Poor oral hygiene in children with adenoid hypertrophy can be explained by xerostomia due to oral or mixed breathing as well as opportunistic microflora presence and pH shift towards more acidic.
 The obtained results provide a background for further research and improvement of preventive complexes targeting at elimination of mechanisms that contribute to the cariogenic situation in the oral cavity of children, considering the presence of somatic disease.

AGE FEATURES OF DECIDUOUS TEETH CARIES PARAMETERS IN 3-6 YEARS OLD AGED CHILDREN

The aim: Estimation of caries prevalence and intensity, determination for treatment necessity of deciduous teeth in 3-6 years old aged children from Poltava region for further effective development of programs for caries and its complications prevention. Materials and methods: Totally 335 children from 3 to 6 years old of preschool institutions of Poltava and Poltava region aged were examined with the signed accordance of their parents. All children were examined for the prevalence (%) and intensity of caries of deciduous teeth by the Decay Extracted Filling index (DEF index). Quantitative parameters were processed by standard statistic methods. The calculation of the highest caries intensity (Significant Index of Caries) was performed according to the D. Bratthol`s method. The level of dental aid (LDA) was assessed by the DEF index according to P.A. Leus recommendations. Treatment necessity of children was also determined. Results: The research in caries prevalence of deciduous teeth of revealed that the number of children with caries increases with their age. The most significant parameter growth is observed at the age of 4 to 5 years. Carious lesions intensity increases at the age from 4 to 5 and from 5 to 6 years most significantly. Conclusions: The most common indicator in all studied groups was a D-parameter, which indicates low parents awareness about deciduous teeth treatment necessity. That case confirms low level of dental aid (14%) and significant treatment need which is 50.7 %. Affection of molars always exceeds the affection of other groups of teeth. We did not find a significant difference in caries distribution among children of different genders. The obtained results encourage realization of sanitary and educational propagation on the awareness of parents on dental healthcare of their children.

Comparison of Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment Needs Index with Def Index in Measuring Dental Caries Among 2–6-Year-Old Schoolchildren

Background: Decayed, missing, and filled teeth and def indices are the preferred choices for dental caries quantification. Lacunae in earlier caries indices led to Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment Needs Index (CAST) development. CAST index measures caries experience of a single tooth and overall dentition in a hierarchical level of caries severity. Aim: This study aimed to compare CAST and def indices in measuring dental caries among 3–6-year-old school children in and around Bhimavaram town, Andhra Pradesh, India. Material and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted. A single examiner conducted survey among 898 3–6-year-old school children at randomly selected schools. Caries experience was recorded in a structured pro forma using CAST and def indices. Descriptive statistical analysis was done. Inter- and intragroup comparisons were made by Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA and Mann–Whitney U–tests, respectively. Correlation between def and CAST indices was explored by Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Results: Caries prevalence with CAST index (45.7%) was marginally higher compared with def index (44.7%). No statistically significant difference was found between mean deft scores measured with CAST and def index (P = 0.87). High statistically significant difference in mean def scores with def index and def component of CAST index for 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-year age groups was observed (P < 0.001). A strong correlation in measuring dental caries (P < 0.001) and similar percentage of agreement for application (98.5%) was observed between both the indices. Conclusion: No statistically significant difference was found in measuring caries experience indicating the similarity between CAST and def indices in quantifying dental caries. CAST index provides more detailed information of caries prevalence, experience, and severity compared with def index.

Oral Findings of Children, Adolescents and Young Adults Affected by Muccopolysaccharidosis

Objectives: Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) comprises of a set of rare inherited lysosomal disorder which results in deposition of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in various tissues and organs resulting in disturbances in the developing structures. The aim of the study was to systematically record the oral findings of patients diagnosed with MPS and subsequently assess their oral health needs. Methodology: A cross- sectional study was conducted on patients diagnosed with MPS (n=57). Complete soft tissue and hard tissue examination was done and the findings recorded. DMFT or def indices were recorded in accordance with WHO criteria and methods. Results: The study showed that the patients diagnosed with MPS have higher oral health care needs owing to the anatomical and pathological changes. The study showed that the patients diagnosed with MPS had poor oral hygiene and high caries incidence. However, the number of filled teeth in spite of high caries index wassignificantly less which showed neglected oral care. Interpretation and Conclusion: The patients diagnosed with MPS have higher oral health care needs. Hence, regular dental evaluation and treatment must be incorporated in their health care regimen.

Comparison of Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment Needs (Cast) Index with Def Index in Measuring Dental Caries Among Three to SixYear-Old School Children: A Descriptive CrossSectional Survey

Comparison of Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment Needs (Cast) Index with Def Index in Measuring Dental Caries Among Three to SixYear-Old School Children: A Descriptive CrossSectional Survey

Role of Rugoscopy and Dactyloscopy in Predilection of Dental Caries in Childern

Background: Dental caries being the commonest infection of tooth can be related to hereditary and environmental factors as well. Rugoscopy and Dactyloscopy can be choosen as a genetic marker for diagnosis of many diseases related to genetic disorder. Hence determining the pattern of dermal ridge and palatal rugae also plays a role in predilection of the dental caries in children. Aim: To determine the pattern of the dermal ridge and palatal rugae in caries–free and caries–active children and correlating it to predict the dental caries . Methodology: 20 children (5-12years old) with dental caries were scored based on DEF index. Rugoscopy and Dactyloscopy was performed using Thomaz and Kotze method and Galton’s method respectively. The datas were statistically analyzed for predilection of dental caries in these subjects. Results: The results indicates that there is a definite correlation between the dermal ridge patterns, palatal rugae patterns and dental caries in children. Conclusion: Dermatoglyphics and Rugoscopy can be used as a screening method to provide adequate preventive treatment to children showing a higher caries risk as detected by the hand ridge patterns and palatal rugae pattern

Evaluation of Eruption Pattern and Caries Occurrence among Children Affected with Fluorosis

The aim of this study was to evaluate eruption pattern and occurrence of caries in children affected with fluorosis. One hundred and fifty subjects (75 each with/without fluorosis) with age group of 7-8 years were selected. Dental fluorosis assessed on the buccal surfaces of the permanent incisors and molars and scored using the Thylstrup and Fejerskov index. The tooth were scored as emerged when at least one cusp of the tooth was visible in the mouth. Caries attack rate in primary and permanent teeth were estimated using DMFS and defs index in fluorosis patient. The findings were subjected to statistical analysis. The data were analyzed using Student "t" test and ANOVA "F" test. There was statistically highly significant difference found in the incidence of occlusal, mesioproximal, and distoproximal caries between fluorotic and nonfluorotic patients (p < 0.001). The result of present study showed a nonsignificant association between fluoride exposure parameter and median emergence ages of permanent incisors and molar teeth. On the other hand, caries occurrence shows a significant association with fluorosis. In this study, a significant positive correlation exists in the prevalence of caries and fluorosis. It is concluded that occlusal and proximal caries are less pronounced in fluorosis patients. Dental caries is a public health problem. In this study, we study the fluoride effect since the predominant cariostatic effect of fluoride is beneficial in extensive caries reduction without a concomitant risk of dental fluorosis. How to cite this article: Trivedi S, Trivedi A, Banda NR, et al. Evaluation of Eruption Pattern and Caries Occurrence among Children Affected with Fluorosis. J Contemp Dent Pract 2019;20(10):1217-1222.

Evaluation of Caries and Periodontal Status in A Group of Diabetic Egyptian Children

The present study was carried out to evaluate the dental and periodontal status in a group of Insulin dependent Egyptian children and this was accomplished clinically and microbiologically. One hundred diabetic children represented by group 1 with age range 6-14 years who had selected from out-patient clinic of Abo EL-Rish , Endocrine department of faculty of medicine, Cairo university. And ten healthy chidren represented by group 2 with the same age range, were selected from those who referred to the out-patient Pediatric clinic of faculty of dental medicine, Al-Alzhar University,Girls branch. In this study dental examination was done by using mirror, probe, and periodontal probe. And caries prevalence was accomplished by using DMF, dmf and def indices. While periodontal status was evaluated by using PI, GI, PD and AL. Also this study evaluated the bacterial content qualitatively in plaque and saliva where StreptococcusMutans and Lactobacilli acidophilus were chosen because of their importance in causing dental caries. And A. actinomycetemcomitans was chosen as a gram negative bacteria type which has a major role in causing periodontal diseases. DMF and def recorded values of both groups were at the same with no statistically significant difference. While as regarded to dmf no cases in healthy group so comparison was not performed. PI, GI and PD recorded values of both groups were at the same with no statistically significant difference. While as regarded to AL no cases in healthy group socomparison was not performed. Regarded prevalence of all bacterial species there were no statistically significant difference between two groups.

Psychometric properties of the Malayalam version of ECOHIS.

The Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) has been developed in English for determining oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in the preschool children. It has been translated and validated in different languages to suit different cultures. The ECOHIS is, till date, the only tool available for research in this field on preschool age children. A similar version of this tool is not available for use in the local language Malayalam. This study aimed to develop and validate a Malayalam version of the ECOHIS (M-ECOHIS). The study was conducted with a cross-sectional design. The ECOHIS was translated into Malayalam by forward-backward translation and tested for face and content validity. The parents of 300 children were administered the M-ECOHIS and an additional global oral health (GOH) question. The children were examined for the presence of early childhood caries (ECC) which was recorded using the defs index. The internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, interobserver reliability, and convergent and discriminant validity were assessed. The tool possessed good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.879; item total correlation 0.2832-0.7617); the test-retest reliability and interobserver reliability assessed using ICC (ICC = 0.9457 and 0.9460, respectively) was acceptable. The Spearman's correlation coefficient of the ECOHIS and the GOH scores, r = 0.725; P = 0.01 supported the convergent validity. The mean ECOHIS scores of children having ECC with mean ECOHIS scores of children without ECC were compared using unpaired t-test and found to be statistically significant supporting the discriminant validity of the scale. The M-ECOHIS can be used to assess the OHRQoL of preschool children in the Malayalam speaking community.

Assessment of oral health status of Santal (tribal) children of West Bengal.

Santal is the third largest tribal community of India leading a very poor standard of education and life style. There are, however, few population-based studies evaluating the oral health status among Santal children in West Bengal. The aim of the study was to evaluate the oral health status of Santal children of West Bengal by assessing prevalence of dental caries and inflammatory condition of gingival. Santal children aged between 2-14 years (N = 1205) were randomly selected from different Santal communities of West Bengal for this study. The children were divided into three different groups according to dentition. Caries for permanent dentition Decayed Missing Filled Tooth (DMFT), for deciduous dentition decayed extracted filled (def index was used. For mixed dentition DMF and def was measured respectively and then added together. Inflammatory condition of gingival was assessed by papillary marginal attachment (PMA) index. the data was analyzed statistically by SPSS software version 11. The study showed there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the average decayed extracted filled teeth (deft)/DMFT for boys and girls in deciduous and permanent dentition. But in mixed dentition this value for the boys was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than girls. 'Z' values were found to be non significant when compared mild, moderate and severe gingivitis between boys and girls in each dentition group, but mild gingivitis significantly increases from deciduous dentition to mixed to permanent dentition (P <0.001).

Association between dental caries and age-specific body mass index in preschool children of an Iranian population

The aim of this study was to determine the association of dental caries and BMI-for-age in preschool children and whether BMI-for-age is similar or different between Severe Early Childhood Caries (S-ECC) and caries free children. Four hundred preschool children aged 30-70 months were entered into this study. The parameters examined in this study were weight, height, BMI-for-age and number of decayed, extracted and filled surfaces of deciduous teeth (defs). Based on dental caries, the subjects were also divided into S-ECC and caries-free groups. Then data was analyzed by t-test, one-way ANOVA, multiple regression and logistic regression tests. The mean and SD of defs index was 8.37 ± 11.2. In the underweight, normal-weight, at risk of overweight and overweight groups, these values were 4.89 ± 10.8, 8.84 ± 11.8, 8.68 ± 10.6, and 10.39 ± 10.2, respectively. Multiple regression analysis revealed a statistically a significant direct association between BMI-for-age and defs index (P = 0.001) after adjusting for gender and age. The percentage of subjects who were caries free and S-ECC was 44.8% and 51.2%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that there was statistically a significant inverse association between BMI-for-age scores and the frequency of caries-free (P = 0.001) and a significant direct association with S-ECC children (P = 0.001). The findings of this study demonstrated that there was an association between higher defs scores and severe early childhood caries with overweightness.

Allied health – 3009. Comparative assessment of dental caries experience, oral hygiene status, gingival health status, salivary Streptococcus mutans count and Lactabacillus count between asthmatic and non-asthmatic children aged between 5-12 years in Davangere City, Karnataka, India

Methods A cross sectional comparative study was conducted on 5-12 years old, 40 asthmatic and 62 non-asthmatic subjects in Davanagere city. Selection criteria – a) children with diagnosis of asthma as diagnosed by lung function test by the medical officer of the asthma care centre, Bapuji Hospital, Davanagere, who were currently on asthmatic medication belonging to 5-12 year age group residing in Davanagere city. b) The non-asthmatic status of selected controls was ascertained by asking certain relevant questions to the children and their parents which can elicit the presence of symptoms of asthma. Cases and controls were matched for gender, age, socio-economic status, diet and oral hygiene practices. Relevant and required information regarding demographic characteristics and asthmatic status was obtained. DMFT index and def index were used to assess the dental caries status. Oral Hygiene Simplified Index (OHI-S) and Gingival Index were used to assess the oral hygiene status and gingival status respectively. Paraffin stimulated saliva sample was collected from both asthmatic and non-asthmatic subjects for microbiological analysis.

Iron deficiency in young children: a risk marker for early childhood caries.

ABSTRACTAim: Evaluate the coexistence of iron deficiency and early childhood caries.Evaluate whether iron deficiency can be considered as a risk marker for early childhood caries.Estimate the incidence of iron deficiency in children with early childhood caries.To evaluate and compare the iron status of children with and without severe early childhood caries.Materials and methods: Sixty children of age 2 to 6 years in whom blood investigations are advised by pediatricians are selected for the study and are divided into early childhood caries (ECC) and control groups according to the def index. After obtaining the informed consent from parent, blood investigations are carried out in these children for the estimation of iron status.Results: All the values depicting the iron status are found to be decreased in the clinical trial group (ECC group) and they are statistically significant.Conclusion: Iron deficiency is observed definitely in children having ECC.How to cite this article: Koppal PI, Sakri MR, Akkareddy B, Hinduja DM, Gangolli RA, Patil BC. Iron Deficiency in Young Children: A Risk Marker for Early Childhood Caries. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2013;6(1):1-6.

Effect of dental hygiene procedures on the state of dental hard tissues in women over 45 years of age

Dental caries and periodontal diseases depend on the interaction of four factors: bacteria, substrate, medium and time. Thanks to proper dental hygiene procedures, some of these can be eliminated. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of oral hygiene procedures on the state of dental and periodontal hard tissues expressed using the DEF index, API and CPITN. In the population examined, we observed statistically significant (or close to being statistically significant) correlations between the parameters of oral cavity health and answers provided by respondents in the questionnaire. The oral hygiene procedures have a relevant impact on the state of dental and periodontal hard tissues, and affect the API, as well as DEF index in women over the age of 45.

Comparison of def index with Nyvad′s new caries diagnostic criteria among three to six years old children in a school at Bangalore city

Dental caries is a multifactorial disease with varying clinical picture and its diagnostic criteria is complicated, when initial lesion is considered. Hence, there is a need for an index which measures cavitated, non-cavitated, and initial lesion in dental caries. So, the purpose of this study was to compare the of def index with Nyvad's new diagnostic criteria. A total of 249 school children in the age group of three to six years were selected for the study from Sajjan Rao School at Bangalore city. Children teeth were cleaned and dried with cotton rolls and chip blower. The dental caries examinations were conducted under standardized conditions using plane mouth mirrors and explorers with the help of artificial illumination. The diagnostic criteria used were deft and d, e, and f component of Nyvad's new caries diagnostic criteria. Mann Whitney 'U' test was used to compare the two indexes at five percent significant level. The mean value for deft was 2.48 and the mean for d, e, and f component of Nyvad's new caries diagnostic criteria was 3.18 which shows statistically significant difference with P value of <0.05. The result obtained by Nyvad's new caries diagnostic criteria produces values much higher than those with def caries index system. Hence, Nyvad's new caries diagnostic criteria can be used to diagnose dental caries at the initial stages, which in turn will reflect exact prevalence of caries.