Assessment of prevalence, distribution by tooth type and detection rate of carious white spot lesions in 11- to 13-year-old adolescents

Relevance. Carious white spot lesion activity will affect the volume of dental interventions: both prevention and treatment. It is necessary to search for new criteria and clinical parameters to monitor the effectiveness of the preventive and treatment measures in superficial carious lesions. Purpose. To evaluate the prevalence, activity and the predominant localization of carious white spot lesions in 11- to 13-year-old adolescents who came for a dental check-up during the planned treatment.

Materials and methods. The study assessed 2888 teeth in 128 subjects aged 11 to 13 years old using Oral Hygiene Index Simplified (OHI-S), Plaque Control Record (PCR); Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI) introduced by Ainamo and Bay. The study detected carious lesions by the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS). The results were statistically processed using the Pearson chi-square test.

Results. The prevalence of carious white spot lesions (CWSL) was over 42,0% in 11- to 13-year-olds. The oral hygiene level did not correlate with the presence of CWSL (Pearson χ² = 0,417; p = 0,812). The simulated gingival bleeding index was positive in 92,6% of the examined patients, at least on one surface with CWSL (Pearson χ² = 78,397; p < 0,001). The study recorded demineralization areas on the permanent mandibular second molars in 14,8% of the examined 11-13-year-olds.

Conclusion. Preventive programs, carried out today, should monitor the occurrence and course of the initial enamel lesions, appearing as white spot lesions, for early caries detection and treatment of hard dental tissues.

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