DETERMINING THE FUTURE CARIES DEVELOPMENT IN DIFFERENT CARIES RISK GROUPS

The aims of this study were to evaluate the development of new lesions in 117 children from different caries risk groups and to determine significant risk factors in a pediatric clinic of Istanbul University Faculty of Dentistry. The initial caries risk assessment was performed and follow-up visits were used to determine the future caries development. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed with net caries increment as outcome measure. Brushing less than once a day and the consumption of more than two between-meal snacks per day were confirmed as risk factors (OR=1.58 and 1.89, respectively) in children who developed new caries. The total amount of new caries lesions in low-risk group was significantly less than in moderate and high-risk groups (p .05). The total amount of new caries surfaces in high and moderate groups was significantly higher than in low-risk subjects (p .05). The results suggest that in high risk subjects, operative treatments must be combined with control of the disease activity. In order to prevent caries increament, it is important that children at high risk of developing caries are identified and targeted for specific individual or group preventive measures.