Elizabeth J Berry1, Tegwyn H Brickhouse2, Amanda K Kerns3, Katherine A Nordeen4, Al M Best5. 1. Associate professor and program director, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Va., USA;, Email: clarkej2@vcu.edu. 2. Associate professor and Director of the Oral Health Services Research Core, Phillips Institute for Oral Health Research, at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Va., USA. 3. Pediatric dentist in private practice, Richmond, Va., USA. 4. Pediatric dentist in private practice, Lakeville, Minn., USA. 5. Professor and Director of Faculty Research Development, at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Va., USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To test a more frequent preventive recall strategy following full-mouth dental rehabilitation (FMDR) in children with early childhood caries (ECC). METHODS: Patients were randomized into two groups: controls, who were scheduled to return at six-month intervals (6-MR); and the intervention group, who were scheduled to return at three-month intervals (3-MR and 6-MR). At baseline and at each recall, a caries risk assessment (CRA) and dental exam were completed. Analyses followed CONSORT recommendations, resulting in three analyses: intent-to-treat; per-protocol; and an actual recall analysis. RESULTS: Intent-to-treat analysis showed no significant difference in CRA at six months (P>0.7); per-protocol analysis showed borderline significance (P>.08); and actual recall analysis showed a statistically significant difference in CRA at six months (P=.021). For patients with both 3-MR and 6-MR, 44 percent were assessed at a high caries risk level; for patients with only a 6-MR, 72 percent were assessed as a high caries risk level (P=.021). No significant differences were found in caries incidence at six months. CONCLUSIONS: Following full-mouth dental rehabilitation, patients who returned for follow-ups at both three- and six-month intervals had a greater decrease in caries risk level compared to patients seen at six-month follow-up intervals.
RCT Entities:
PURPOSE: To test a more frequent preventive recall strategy following full-mouth dental rehabilitation (FMDR) in children with early childhood caries (ECC). METHODS:Patients were randomized into two groups: controls, who were scheduled to return at six-month intervals (6-MR); and the intervention group, who were scheduled to return at three-month intervals (3-MR and 6-MR). At baseline and at each recall, a caries risk assessment (CRA) and dental exam were completed. Analyses followed CONSORT recommendations, resulting in three analyses: intent-to-treat; per-protocol; and an actual recall analysis. RESULTS: Intent-to-treat analysis showed no significant difference in CRA at six months (P>0.7); per-protocol analysis showed borderline significance (P>.08); and actual recall analysis showed a statistically significant difference in CRA at six months (P=.021). For patients with both 3-MR and 6-MR, 44 percent were assessed at a high caries risk level; for patients with only a 6-MR, 72 percent were assessed as a high caries risk level (P=.021). No significant differences were found in caries incidence at six months. CONCLUSIONS: Following full-mouth dental rehabilitation, patients who returned for follow-ups at both three- and six-month intervals had a greater decrease in caries risk level compared to patients seen at six-month follow-up intervals.