A new approach for interexaminer reliability data analysis on dental caries calibration.

Objectives: a) to evaluate the interexaminer reliability in caries detection considering different diagnostic thresholds and b) to indicate, by using Kappa statistics, the best way of measuring interexaminer agreement during the calibration process in dental caries surveys.

Methods: Eleven dentists participated in the initial training, which was divided into theoretical discussions and practical activities, and calibration exercises, performed at baseline, 3 and 6 months after the initial training. For the examinations of 6-7-year-old schoolchildren, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations were followed and different diagnostic thresholds were used: WHO (decayed/missing/filled teeth - DMFT index) and WHO + IL (initial lesion) diagnostic thresholds.

Trends in caries experience and fluorosis prevalence in 11- to 12-year-old Brazilian children between 1991 and 2004.

Unlabelled: Investigating dental caries and fluorosis prevalence over time is an important measure for monitoring trends in oral health.

Purpose: This work aimed to describe the prevalence of dental caries and dental fluorosis of 11- to 12-year-old schoolchildren from Iracemapolis, Brazil, in 2004 (n=236) and to compare the current prevalence rates with those from previous surveys carried out in 1991 (n=200), 1995 (n=160), 1997 (n=314) and 2001 (n=244).

Materials And Methods: The schoolchildren of both genders from all public schools were examined by two calibrated dentists (Kappa > 0.

Effect of different diagnostic thresholds on dental caries calibration - a 12 month evaluation.

Objective: To analyze the reproducibility of a calibration trial, at different diagnostic thresholds of dental caries, in a 12-month evaluation.

Methods: A group of dental examiners (n = 11), who had previous experience in epidemiological surveys, participated in the study. An initial training phase (theoretical and clinical) and five calibration exercises (baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months) were arranged.

The short-term in situ model to evaluate the anticariogenic potential of ionomeric materials.

Objectives: Aiming to contribute to the study of mechanisms involved in the anticariogenic properties of dental materials, this study assessed the suitability of a short-term in situ model to evaluate the anticariogenic potential of ionomeric materials.

Methods: The study used a 3-phase crossover, double blind design, and in each phase eight volunteers wore palatal appliances containing four enamel blocks restored with one of the following materials: composite resin (CR-Z250) (negative control), a conventional glass ionomer cement (GIC-Ketac-Fil) or a resin-modified GIC (RM-GIC-Vitremer). The restored blocks were covered with a "test plaque" of S.

Fluoride-releasing capacity and cariostatic effect provided by sealants.

This study evaluated the effect of sealants on enamel demineralization, focusing on physical protection of the sealed enamel and fluoride protection of the adjacent unsealed enamel. Occlusal fissures with areas measuring 12 mm2 were delimited in 48 extracted molars, randomly divided into 4 groups (n =12): 1) no sealing; 2) sealing with a resin-modified glass-ionomer (Vitremer, 3M ESPE); 3) sealing with a fluoride-releasing composite sealant (Clinpro Sealant, 3M ESPE); and 4) sealing with a non-fluoridated composite sealant (Concise, 3M ESPE). A 4-mm2 window was outlined on the buccal enamel for analysis of fluoride uptake.