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AAPD Journal Article Abstract

Author:	Dorota T. Kopycka-Kedzierawski, Christine H. Bell, Ronald J. Billings
Title:	Prevalence of Dental Caries in Early Head Start Children as Diagnosed Using Teledentistry
Abstract:	Purpose: This study’s purpose was to assess caries prevalence by means of teledentistry in 12- to 60-month old children enrolled in Early Head Start inner-city child care centers. Methods: Images of the primary dentition were obtained by trained telehealth assistants using an intraoral camera. Images were entered into a Web-based storage and retrieval program. They were transmitted to a secure, remote-site computer and evaluated by a calibrated pediatric dentist. Results: Of 162 children screened, 93 were caries free and 69 had early childhood caries (ECC). Of these, 28 had severe early childhood caries (S-ECC). The mean dfs score for all 162 children was 1.88. The mean dfs score for the 69 ECC children was 4.42. The mean dfs for the subgroup of 28 S-ECC children was 7.61. Caries scores of S-ECC children were statistically significantly different from caries scores of the entire cohort and from caries scores of the ECC children. Conclusions: This study’s results show that: (1) almost half of the preschoolers enrolled in the study were affected by dental caries; (2) only a few children had ever had a dental visit; and (3) teledentistry offers a potentially efficient means of screening high-risk preschool children for signs of early childhood caries. (Pediatr. Dent. 2008;30:329-33) Received May 4, 2007 | Last Revision August 10, 2007 | Revision Accepted August 29, 2007