Assessing Caries Status According to the Cast Instrument and Who Criteria in 6 - 12 Years Old School Children in Shimla City of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

BACKGROUND Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment (CAST) instrument index was introduced for full assessment of dental caries, as it covers from no lesion to advanced stage progression of caries. CAST in comparison to WHO criteria allows a more detailed reporting of stages of dental caries. Aims and Objectives: To determine the levels of similarity and difference between the CAST instrument and WHO criteria on the basis of caries prevalence, dmft/DMFT counts and reporting of result in 6-12 years old school children in Shimla city of Himachal Pradesh. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional study was carried out among 623 school children aged 6-12 years in Shimla city. DMFT (Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth) counts were obtained according to the WHO criteria and the CAST instrument. Descriptive statistics, test and correlation was done using SPSS version 19. The sample size was taken for convenience during the study. RESULTS 623 children were examined. The prevalence of dental caries calculated according to the CAST instrument and the WHO criteria for the primary dentition was 74.47% and 76.47% and for the permanent dentition it was 9.93% and 10.11%. CONCLUSION The CAST instrument provided similar DMF counts as the WHO criteria in all age groups. Presentation of results from use of the CAST instrument in comparison to WHO criteria allowed a more detailed reporting of stages of dental caries, which will be useful for oral health planners.