Correlation between caries experience in primary and permanent dentition in birth-cohorts 1950-70.

Caries experience in the primary molars and canines at 8 yr of age and in the permanent dentition at 16 was correlated in every fourth birth-cohort between 1950 and 1970 in a Danish community. Correlations between 0.44 and 0.55 were found. Cross-tabulation of the data also revealed close association, but prediction of individual high caries risk children based solely on screening for caries experience in the primary dentition is hardly cost-effective.