Developing A Caries Risk Assessment Model For Patients Attending University Malaya Dental Clinic

ABSTRACT

Aim: In response to the introduction of an integrated dentaleducation program at University of Malaya (UM) in 2011,a study was conducted to develop a caries risk assessmentmodel (CRA) for use in non-surgical caries managementfor Year 3 and 4 students of the new integrated program.Methods: The CRA model was based on risk indicatorsused by dental students in the Preventive Dental Clinic(PDC). Patients aged 15 years and above who attended thePDC for the first time in year 2009 and 2010 were used asstudy sample. Four hundred and fourteen patient nameswere identified from the student PDC logbook. Of the414, 359 dental records had complete data and includedin the analysis. Data were analysed using SPSS version17.0. Chi-square test was used for group comparison andassociated factors for coronal caries were analysed usingMultiple Logistic Regression (MLR). Results: The finalmodel showed that adults, brushing teeth once daily,and not having dental prosthesis/appliance were 3.31(CI=1.64-6.69), 2.53 (CI=1.19-5.40), and 2.25 (CI=1.25-4.10) more likely to develop coronal caries, respectively,than adolescents, brushing teeth at least twice a day, andhaving dental prosthesis/appliance. Conclusions: Theresults indicate that age group, toothbrushing frequencyand dental prosthesis status are significant indicators forcoronal caries among patients. Outcomes of the studycontributed towards bridging the gap between cariologyand preventive modules in the new integrated dentalprogram.