Feasibility of Radiographical Diagnosis in 8-Year-Old Schoolchildren with Low Caries Activity

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Abstract
In caries prevalence studies it is common practice to use bite-wing radiographs for the diagnosis of approximal caries. In many populations there is a tendency for caries levels in children to decrease over the last 10–15 years. The aim of the present study was to investigate the necessity of routine bite-wing radiographs in a low caries population. A clinical and radiographical dental examination was carried out in a group of 174 Dutch schoolchildren in 1979, using Marthaler’s reduced-count method. Clinical and radiographical data were analysed independently. The loss of information by omitting the radiographical findings of the approximal surfaces was assesed. It is concluded that in 8-year-old children in the Netherlands, there is no need for radiographical examination of approximal surfaces in caries prevalence studies, given the improved oral health over the last decade.