A longitudinal assessment of predictive value of a caries activity test in young children.

A longitudinal study was conducted in Okayama, Japan to investigate the predictive value of a caries activity test (Cariostat). The subjects were 100 children who participated in routine dental examinations at 18, 24 and 36 months. Results indicated caries prevalence of 9% at 18 months, 21 percent at 24 months and 70 percent at 36 months. Cariostat scores at each age were correlated with dmft at 36 months and with whether or not child was caries-free at 36 months. Cariostat scores at each age showed good validity (sensitivity + specificity) for whether or not child was caries-free at 36 months. These results indicated that caries activity test, Cariostat, was effective for predicting caries occurrence in young children.