Comparison of a new chairside test for caries risk assessment with established methods in children.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the results of a new method, measurement of lactic-acid production on the tongue (LAP), with established methods of caries risk assessment in children.

Methods: One hundred nineteen children (6-10 years old) participated in the study. Data collection included number of carious lesions (D-T) and filled teeth (F-T), approximal plaque index (API), LAP, buffering capacity (BC), counts of mutans streptococci (MS) and lactobacilli (LB) in stimulated saliva.