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Table 1 Classification and codes used for the clinical oral health assessments.

From: The VicGeneration study - a birth cohort to examine the environmental, behavioural and biological predictors of early childhood caries: background, aims and methods

Assessment

Code

Descriptor

1. Debris index 1

0

Absence of plaque/debris

 

1

Plaque/debris visible

2. Modified sulcus bleeding index 2

0

Absence of bleeding (Healthy appearance)

 

1

Presence of bleeding

3. Modified ICDAS II 3

  

Teeth missing

96

Surface cannot be examined; surface excluded

  

When the examiner is unable to form a judgement of the status of the surface.

 

97

Missing due to caries

  

Part of the tooth surface has been extracted because it was carious.

 

98

Missing other than caries

  

Surfaces are regarded as extracted for orthodontic reasons, unless there is overwhelming evidence to the contrary, missing first molars will be recorded as extracted due to caries.

 

99

Unerupted teeth

  

Deciduous or permanent teeth which have not yet erupted.

Tooth surface

0

Sound tooth surface - no evidence of caries

  

Surfaces with developmental defects are to be recorded as sound: enamel hyperplasia; fluorosis; tooth wear (attrition, abrasion and erosion); extrinsic or intrinsic stains. Surfaces with multiple stained fissures, if the condition is seen in other pits and fissures, should be scored as a sound surface.

 

1

First visual change in enamel

  

Seen only after drying or restricted to within the confines of a pit or fissure. After drying white or brown lesion is visible that is not consistent with the clinical appearance of sound enamel.

 

2

Distinct visual change in enamel

  

When wet there is: 1) Carious opacity and/or; 2) Brown carious discoloration which is wider than the natural fissure/fossa that is not consistent with the clinical appearance of sound enamel (note: the lesion must still be visible when dry).

 

3

Localised enamel breakdown

  

Secondary to caries with no visible dentine or underlying shadow. There is clear carious opacity and/or brown carious discolouration; or carious loss of tooth structure at the entrance to/within the pit/fossa/fissure when dry.

 

4

Underlying dark shadow from dentin

  

Lesion appears as a shadow of discoloured dentine visible through an apparently intact enamel surface which may or may not show signs of localised breakdown.

 

5

Distinct cavity with visible dentin

  

Cavitation in opaque or discoloured enamel exposing the dentine beneath. Once dried, there is visual evidence of demineralisation and/or loss of tooth structure at the entrance to or within the pit or fissure - frank cavitation.

 

6

Extensive distinct cavity with visible dentin

  

Obvious loss of tooth structure, the cavity is both deep and wide and dentine is clearly visible on the walls and at the base. An extensive cavity involves at least half of a tooth surface or possibly reaching the pulp.

Caries associated with restoration and sealants

0

Sound; Surface not restored or sealed

 

1

Sealant, partial

 

2

Sealant, full

 

3

Tooth coloured restoration

 

4

Amalgam restorations

 

5

Stainless steel crown

 

6

Porcelain or gold or PFM crown or veneer

 

7

Lost or broken restoration

 

8

Temporary restoration

 

9

Used for missing teeth (see above).

  1. 1Children only; 2Adults only; 3ICDAS: International Caries Detection and Assessment System