Diagnostic levels in dental public health planning.

This concept paper discusses the rationale for using different diagnostic criteria for dental caries in public health programs. The author contends that epidemiological data or needs assessment surveys should collect data to provide information on the epidemiology of different stages of the caries process in order to enable planners to design tailored programs to prevent dental caries. In a rapidly progressing caries environment, conventional approaches to delivering preventive measures may not work. The author also contends that dental public health programs should expand their vision to influence how dentists are detecting, diagnosing and managing dental caries. Dentists' restorative decisions have significant impact on the oral health status of a nation. Henceforth, detecting the early or noncavitated caries level and preventing these lesions from progressing to the cavitated stage (or being restored) could have a significant impact on the oral health status around the world. There is a need for more research on the best methods to detect, prevent and treat early carious lesions.