Development, methodology and potential of the new Universal Visual Scoring System (UniViSS) for caries detection and diagnosis.

Given the limitations of adjunct caries detection and diagnostic tools, e.g., imperfect validity and reproducibility, as well as the difficulties in controlling all possible confounding factors, the need for an objective visual caries detection and diagnosis system has become evident.

Are pit and fissure sealants needed in children with a higher caries risk?

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to analyse the preventive need of pit and fissure sealants (PFS) in a German population with a relatively high caries risk. The study involved 311 8- to 12-year-old children from the Ennepe-Ruhr District in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Caries experience was scored according to WHO (1997) and ICDAS II criteria.

Occlusal caries detection in permanent molars according to WHO basic methods, ICDAS II and laser fluorescence measurements.

This epidemiological study aimed to compare the diagnostic outcome of the WHO criteria, ICDAS II criteria, laser fluorescence measurements, presence of plaque and roughness as activity scores on occlusal fissures and buccal/palatal pits of the first permanent molars. The study involved 311 children between 8 and 12 years of age from the Ennepe-Ruhr District in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The surface-related caries status was registered according to the WHO basic method criteria (1997).