DENTAL-CARIES IN PRESCHOOL BEIJING AND CONNECTICUT CHILDREN AS DESCRIBED BY A NEW CARIES ANALYSIS SYSTEM

A total of 625 children. 3 4 yr old, 426 from Connecticut Head Start p rograms and 199 from Beijing area nursery schools, were clinically exa mined for dental caries. Results were analyzed using the traditional d mfs index as well as a new ''Caries Analysis System''. This new system differentiated between caries patterns and examined the percentage of affected children (Prevalence), the degree to which these children we re affected (Severity) and the proportion of total caries each disease pattern represented (Distribution). The Caries Analysis System reveal ed differences in caries experience and patterns among the racial/ethn ic groups that the dmfs index did not. The Beijing children experience d the greatest Prevalence of all caries patterns; however, the Severit y and Distribution of the caries patterns were similar to those of the Connecticut children. Within the group of Connecticut children, White children had the lowest Prevalence but the greatest Severity when com pared with the Black and Hispanic children.