Correlation between Alban's Test and Smartphone Cariogram App for Caries Risk Assessment in 4-13-year-old Children.

BACKGROUND

Dental caries is a multifactorial disease and a dynamic process that can be prevented and reversed in its early stages. Risk assessment plays a crucial role in decision-making and treatment planning. Therefore, there is a need for a valid, reliable, economical, and chairside caries risk assessment tool for general and pediatric dentists.

AIM

To correlate the Alban's test and smartphone Cariogram app for caries risk assessment in 4-13-year-old children.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Faridabad. A total sample of 59 children, 4-13 years old, residing in Faridabad, were included. Salivary samples were collected and inoculated on BCG-Dextrose Agar. Caries activity was assessed using the Alban test. The caries risk profiles generated by the Cariogram software were compared with the Alban's test.

RESULTS

Data were analyzed for 59 children. The data were tabulated and subjected to suitable statistical analysis. Spearman correlation analysis demonstrated statistically significant negative correlations between Alban's test scores and Cariogram scores ( < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

As the score of Alban's test increased (indicating more caries activity) at different points of time, the Cariogram result score, that is, the chance to avoid caries, decreased. Caries risk assessment tools play a very pivotal role in educating and motivating the parents and caretakers for preventive care of the children.

HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE

Sharma V, Saraf BG, Sheoran N, Correlation between Alban's Test and Smartphone Cariogram App for Caries Risk Assessment in 4-13-year-old Children. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2025;18(2):134-140.