Evaluation of CRAFT as a Tool for Caries Risk Assessment in 3- to 6-year-old Children and its Validation against Alban's Test: A Pilot Study.

INTRODUCTION

Dental caries is a multifactorial disease and a dynamic process that can be prevented and reversed during the early stage. Risk assessment is an important step in decision-making and treatment planning. There are no valid tools available for the Indian population. Caries risk assessment for treatment (CRAFT) is a chairside tool for caries risk assessment and management. Valid, reliable, economical, and chairside caries risk assessment tool is the need of the hour for general and pediatric dentists.

AIM

To evaluate CRAFT as a tool for caries risk prediction among 3-years to 6-years-old children and to validate it against Alban test.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A pilot study was conducted, including forty 3-years to 6-years-old children. Salivary samples were collected and inoculated on B.C.G.-Dextrose Agar. Caries activity was assessed using Alban test. Their parents/guardians completed the CRAFT assessment in entirety.

RESULTS

The data were tabulated and subjected to suitable statistical analysis. High positive correlation between CRAFT scores and Alban's test (Spearman's Rho = 0.874) was found.

CONCLUSION

CRAFT scores were highly correlated with Alban scores in 3- to 6-year-old children. CRAFT could be successfully employed as a reliable, economical, chairside, and clinically feasible risk assessment tool with further research on a larger sample size.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

CRAFT can provide a framework for the clinician for preventive care and enhance patient-participation for CRA.

HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE

Thakur JH, Subhadra HN, Jawdekar A. Evaluation of CRAFT as a Tool for Caries Risk Assessment in 3- to 6-year-old Children and its Validation against Alban's Test: A Pilot Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2019;12(6):538-542.