Caries Symposium 5

Question 1

What is the definition of epidemiology?

Answer 1

• Is the study of distribution and determinants of diseases in populations

Question 2

What are determinants?

Answer 2

• The cause or risk factor (age, gender, social factors etc)

Question 3

What is meant by the population in epidemiology?

Answer 3

• Group of individuals
• Geographic/area / community
• Community of interest

Question 4

When describing diseases in populations what is meant by ‘counts’?

Answer 4

• Number of people affected by a particular condition (at a particular time and area) (doesn’t take into account the underlying population)

Question 5

When describing disease in populations what is meant by ‘prevalence’?

Answer 5

• The proportion (%) of population with a disease at any given point (point prevalence) or period (period prevalence in time)

Question 6

When describing disease in populations what is meant by ‘incidence’?

Answer 6

• The number of new cases of a disease in a defined population over a defined period of time (rate)

Question 7

When describing disease in a population, what is meant by ‘standardised data’?

Answer 7

• Takes into account population age-structure

Question 8

What does DMF/dmf index stand for?

Answer 8

• Number of decayed, missing and filled teeth (or surfaces)

Question 9

What does ICDAS stand for?

Answer 9

• Initernational Caries Detection and Assessment System
• Restorative status and caries status score
• Allows you to look at enamel and dentinal level decay

Question 10

What is the significant caries index?

Answer 10

• Takes into account skewed distribution of caries in a population

Question 11

What has been the main driver of improvement to oral health since the 1970’s?

Answer 11

• The introduction of fluoride toothpaste

Question 12

What are the 4 primary things required for caries to form?

Answer 12

• Plaque (bacteria)
• Time
• Susceptible tooth surface
• Substrate (sugar)

Question 13

What are the 3 different types of approaches for strategies for preventing caries in populations?

Answer 13

• High risk individuals approach (clinical risk assessment)
• Targeted population approach (targeting on areas of deprivation/communities)
• Whole population approach (universal e.g. a founding principle of the NHS)

Question 14

What are different strategies for delivering fluoride? (3 points)

Answer 14

• Toothpaste
• Water floridation
• Community fluoride schemes

Question 15

What are the different types of health improvement approaches? (6 points)

Answer 15

• Theory-based
• Evidence-based
• Common risk factor approach
• Community engagement
• Multi-agency working
• Proportionate universalism

Question 16

What are 3 examples of oral health improvement advice given to primary school children from the childsmile programme?

Answer 16

• Demonstrate and observe hands-on brushing instruction
• Tailored advice on diet and nutrition
• Action plan