Table 1 An overview of variables and definitions used in monitoring caries in Norway, Sweden and Denmark
Variables | Countries | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Norway | Sweden | Denmark | |
Age groups being enrolled | 5, 12 and 18-yr-olds | 3, 6, 12 and 19-yr-olds | 5, 7, 12 and 15-yr-olds |
Institutions responsible for examinations | PDS* | PDS/PP** | PDS/PP |
Sound primary and permanent teeth: (st/ST) = 0, caries free | May have enamel caries, fissure sealants, restorations due to trauma. | As in Norway | Enamel caries reported. In comparing surveys, enamel caries not included |
Decayed primary or permanent teeth (dt/DT) | Teeth in need of operative treatment due to caries (d3/D3 threshold) | As in Norway | Differentiate between a) manifest caries (dentin caries), b) secondary caries, defect or missed filling, and c) chronic caries |
Missing primary and permanent teeth (mt/MT) | Teeth extracted due to caries | Not reported | Teeth extracted due to caries (et/MT) |
Filled primary and permanent teeth (ft/FT) | Filled teeth, also inlays and prosthetic crowns | Filled primary and permanent teeth (no more details) | As Norway |
dmft/DMFT (primary and permanent teeth) | Sum of all teeth in need/have had need for operative treatment, or missed due to caries. Or number of teeth with experience of caries | Missed teeth not included | As Norway |
Mean dmft/DMFT or mean dft/DFT | dmft/DMFT 12-yr-olds | dft/DFT 12-yr-olds | deft/DMFT 12-yr-olds |
Frequency distribution | |||
Proportion of caries-free (DMFS = 0) individuals | 5, 12, 18-yr-olds Caries-free = no active caries (D = 0), or no experience of caries (DMFT = 0) | 6, 12, 19-yr-olds | 5, 7, 12 and 15-yr-olds |
Proportion of individuals, without approximal surface caries DMFSa*** = 0 | Not reported | 19-yr-olds | Not reported |
Proportion of individuals with caries experience on various numbers of teeth | 1– 4 teeth, 5–9 teeth, >9 in the groups 5, 12, 18-yr-olds | Similar system in the groups 12, 19-yr-olds | More at surface layer registrations |
SiC-index The mean DMFT of third of a population with the highest caries scores | 12-yr-olds | 12-yr-olds | 12-yr-olds |