Impact of Detecting Initial and Active Caries Lesions in Primary Teeth

Summary

The present study aims to evaluate the impact of detecting active initial caries lesions in primary teeth regarding effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, applicability (acceptability and satisfaction) and quality of life. For this, 248 children 3-6 years with complete primary dentition will be examined and treated in a mobile dental unit, which will temporarily be parked in public schools of Sao Paulo. The caries detection will be conducted using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) and, depending on allocation, an adjunct criterion for caries activity assessment. Children will be randomized in two groups according to the caries threshold to be detected: Group A (only advanced lesions will be detected and treated, independently of their activity status) and Group B (all caries lesions, including initial ones, will be detected and all active lesions will be treated). After this, the treatment plan for each child will be made according to strategies mentioned above. Data concerning the cost-effectiveness of the procedures, acceptability / satisfaction of children and quality of life will be collected after diagnosis, after the end of treatment and 12 and 24 months from the initial examination. For comparison between groups, multilevel regression analyses will be performed. The primary outcome will be sites which need of operative treatment during the follow-up periods and the secondary outcomes will be the cost-effectiveness of each strategy, the acceptability / satisfaction of the child and the impact on quality of life.

Conditions

• Dental Caries

Interventions

OTHER

Advanced caries lesions detection (no activity assessment)

The diagnosis strategy will based on detection of only moderate and advanced caries lesions (ICDAS scores 3 to 6). Initial caries lesions will be considered as sound surfaces. Caries activity status will not be evaluated. Clinical decision-making will be proposed for all lesions detected, based on evidence-based protocols.

OTHER

All caries lesions detection (+activity assessment)

The diagnosis strategy will based on detection of initial, moderate and advanced caries lesions (ICDAS scores 1 to 6). Caries activity status will be also evaluated. Clinical decision-making will be proposed for all active lesions detected, based on evidence-based protocols. inactive caries lesions will not be treated.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

  collaborator OTHER_GOV

• Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico

  collaborator OTHER_GOV

• Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior.

  collaborator OTHER_GOV

• University of Sao Paulo

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Mariana M Braga · University of Sao Paulo

• Isabela Floriano · University of Sao Paulo

• Fausto M Mendes · University of Sao Paulo

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

DIAGNOSTIC

Masking

TRIPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

36 Months

Max Age

83 Months

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2015-09-30

Primary Completion

2018-09-30

Completion

2018-09-30

Countries

• Brazil

Study Locations