Data Collection Protocols

Guidelines to complete the state-required assessment form

Begin filling out the assessment portion of the form by recording the date of the assessment. 
The assessment requires 3 determinations:

  1. Visible Caries or Fillings Present 
  2. Visible Caries 
  3. Treatment Urgency

Visible Caries or Fillings Present
This question records whether this child has ever experienced caries in his or her lifetime. That is measured by either signs of inactive disease (fillings) or active disease (visible caries). If either or both are seen, mark this box “yes.”

Visible Caries
A cavity is detected when these two things can readily be observed:

  1. A loss of at least ½ mm of tooth structure at the enamel surface (the tip of a pencil)
  2. Brown to dark-brown coloration of the walls of the cavity

The criteria apply to both pit and fissure cavities as well as those on smooth surfaces. 
If at least one tooth meets both of these criteria, the assessment form should be marked positive for visible caries. 

Broken or chipped teeth are considered sound unless a cavity is found.

If a retained root is found, assume the whole tooth was destroyed by caries and mark the assessment form as having untreated decay.

For the purposes of the assessment, be conservative. When in doubt, assume a condition is not present.

Treatment Urgency
After marking the first two categories, assign treatment urgency status based on the following criteria:

  • “Urgent” = signs or symptoms that include pain, infection, swelling or soft tissue lesions lasting longer than 2 weeks (determined by questioning the child)
  • “Early dental care” = caries without accompanying signs or symptoms. Additionally, if you see things that need further evaluation, such as white spots or molars that would appear to benefit from sealants, mark this choice.
  • “No obvious problems” = When the child’s teeth appear visually healthy and there is no reason that you feel he/she needs to see a dentist before the next routine checkup, mark this choice. 

Guidelines developed by the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors