Acurácia de um protocolo parcial de rastreamento de cárie dentária em escolares

Abstract

The aim of this study was to verify the accuracy of a partial protocol examination to screening dental caries in schoolchildren. Three dentists have passed by theoretical and practical training to be the examiners of the study. A total of 202 individuals were screened by professionals using a partial protocol examination, assessing the presence of dental caries only in the first permanent molars. Results were compared with a full mouth examination performed by a gold standard examiner. DMFT index was used as examination criteria. Prevalence of dental caries was similar using the partial protocol for all dentists. Excellent results were also obtained for sensitivity and specificity values. Positive predictive values were lower (75.0 to 66.7) than negative predictive values (all above 97). In comparison with gold standard, inter-examiner reproducibility was acceptable for all dentists. It was possible to confirm the accuracy of partial protocol examination to screening dental caries and to assess caries prevalence in schoolchildren.