Evaluation of CRAFT as a Tool for Caries Risk Assessment in 3- to 6-year-old Children and its Validation against Alban's Test: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Introduction:Dental caries is a multifactorial disease and a dynamic process that can be prevented and reversed during the early stage. Risk assessment is an important step in decision-making and treatment planning. There are no valid tools available for the Indian population. Caries risk assessment for treatment (CRAFT) is a chairside tool for caries risk assessment and management. Valid, reliable, economical, and chairside caries risk assessment tool is the need of the hour for general and pediatric dentists. Aim: To evaluate CRAFT as a tool for caries risk prediction among 3-years to 6-years-old children and to validate it against Alban test. Materials and methods: A pilot study was conducted, including forty 3-years to 6-years-old children. Salivary samples were collected and inoculated on B.C.G.-Dextrose Agar. Caries activity was assessed using Alban test. Their parents/guardians completed the CRAFT assessment in entirety. Results: The data were tabulated and subjected to suitable statistical analysis. High positive correlation between CRAFT scores and Alban's test (Spearman's Rho = 0.874) was found. Conclusion: CRAFT scores were highly correlated with Alban scores in 3-to 6-year-old children. CRAFT could be successfully employed as a reliable, economical, chairside, and clinically feasible risk assessment tool with further research on a larger sample size. Clinical significance: CRAFT can provide a framework for the clinician for preventive care and enhance patient-participation for CRA.

A mixed methods approach to obtaining health care provider feedback for the development of a Canadian pediatric dental caries risk assessment tool for children <6 years

“…However, the apps have to be informed by health professionals, with good design detail, grounded and validated for use, as the Canadian CRA tool has been (33,34). Although there have been numerous studies that have investigated caries risk factors and the predictive validity of CRA tools, this paper appears to be the first to report on the qualitative analysis of feedback acquired through pilot testing of a CRA tool indicated for use by non-dental primary health care providers (9,25,(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46)(47)(48)(49). A similar British study has reported on feedback from the pilot testing of an online integrated oral health and risk assessment tool (DEPPA).…”

ECC Status, CRAFT Categorization and OHRQoL Assessment in 3–6-year-old Children: A Cross-sectional Study

“…However, a study conducted by Thakur et al reported a high correlation between CRAFT and Alban scores (Spearman's Rho = 0.874; p < 0.001), discounting the need for microbial testing. 7 …”

“…About 46% 23 of the participants reported High CRAFT scores, 40% 20 had Moderate, and 14 % 7 had Low CRAFT scores. About 34% 17 of the participants reported maximum ECOHIS score of 6 whereas 4% 2 had the lowest ECOHIS score of 1.…”

Longitudinal Study on Dental Status, Caries Risk Assessment, and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in 3-6-Year-Old Children Receiving Nitrous Oxide Inhalational Sedation

“…All the parameters analyzed in this study, OHRQoL, caries risk, and dental status, were evaluated using indices and applications sourced from existing literature evidence [ 9 , 15 , 16 ].…”

“…Caries risk assessment (CRA) is a pivotal tool for predicting future caries and helps in guiding evidence-based clinical decisions [ 8 ]. In this pursuit, the caries risk assessment for treatment (CRAFT) tool emerges as an indigenous, interview-based tool developed for ascertaining caries risk in children that primarily focuses on dietary habits, fluoride exposure, decay, and related factors reported by parents [ 9 ].…”