Caries risk assessment in Bosnian children using Cariogram computer model.

Aim: To examine caries risk using the Cariogram model, interactive PC program for caries risk evaluation in 12-year-old children and to correlate caries risk in children of different socioeconomic backgrounds.

Material And Methods: 109, Sarajevo 12-year-olds in three groups based on socioeconomic background. Baseline data on general health condition, diet frequency and use of fluoride were obtained. DMFT and plaque scores were calculated. Saliva analyses included lactobacillus and mutans streptococci levels in saliva, saliva secretion and buffer capacity. Scores were entered into the Cariogram model and risk was calculated for each child.

Results: Most 12-year-old children have a medium risk of caries, with a 59.4% chance of avoiding future caries. In an average caries risk profile of children from Sarajevo the dominant sector is diet, with 12.5% risk; bacteria sector (plaque and mutans streptococci level) 10.8% risk; susceptibility (fluoride, saliva secretion and buffering capacity) 9.7% risk; circumstances (caries experience and medical history) 7.4% risk. Caries risk profiles showed that there are differences in the socioeconomic status of children with significantly greater risk in children with poor living conditions who also have the most unfavourable caries risk profiles.

Conclusions: The Cariogram model can successfully determine caries risk profiles for 12-year-old children of different socioeconomic status and can be used in developing preventive strategies for reducing caries risk in children.