Contribution to the Viability of the DMF-T Simplification in Adults and Older Adults

ABSTRACT

Objective: To verify the validity of two simplified DMFT indexes compared to the full DMFT. Material and Methods: This is an exploratory observational validation study with sample defined by convenience of 88 adult and older adult volunteers treated in a university dental clinic. After calibration, two examiners performed inspection tests with application of the DMFT index. The average total DMFT was compared with crossed quadrants (DMF2Q) and DMF of the right and left sides by age and sex using the Wilcoxon test. Results: The mean age of participants was 42.2 years and median of 44 years, and of these, 53 (60.2%) were female. The analysis showed no statistically significant difference between the means of DMFT and DMF2Q indexes between sexes (males 16.1 vs 16.1; p = 0.87 and females 16.4 vs 16.6; p = 0.24) or between the right and left sides (males 8.1 vs. 8.1 p = 0.50 and females 8.3 vs 8.1; p = 0.99). In addition, no differences were observed between DMFT and DMF2Q in the age groups of adults (30-44 years 17.8 vs 17.4; p = 0.564) and older adults (60 and over 23.4 vs 24.0; p = 0.298). The comparison between DMF OF right and left sides also showed no difference between adults (8.8 vs 9.1; p = 0.134) and older adults (11.8 vs 11.7; p = 0.951). Conclusion: Data obtained were consistent with similar studies on the distribution of dental caries in quadrants, allowing simplifying the DMFT index for epidemiological estimates.