Oral health screening using a caries detection device

J Sch Nurs. 2005 Oct;21(5):299-306. doi: 10.1177/10598405050210050901.

Abstract

Children from low-income families are more likely to have dental disease and less likely to have regular dental care. Children's dental-related illnesses are responsible for more than 880,000 lost school days each year. The lack of reliable state-level data often makes monitoring the oral health of children a challenge. By conducting oral health screenings, school nurses could promote prevention and early identification of dental problems and could aid in the collection of data. This innovative project used a convenience sample of students to test a caries detection device. Children in Grades 3 and 6 (n = 2,622) received oral health screening by the school nurse using a noninvasive laser fluorescent dental device. Findings revealed that 82% of students referred to the dentists received dental care. School nurses can contribute to improving the oral health status of the school-age population by early detection of dental caries and referrals for a dental evaluation.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Dental Caries / prevention & control*
  • Dental Caries Activity Tests / instrumentation*
  • Dental Caries Activity Tests / nursing
  • Fluorescence
  • Humans
  • Kansas
  • Lasers*
  • Mass Screening / instrumentation*
  • Mass Screening / nursing
  • Mass Screening / organization & administration
  • Pilot Projects
  • Referral and Consultation / statistics & numerical data
  • School Health Services* / organization & administration
  • School Nursing