Screening of caries in children through salivary lactobacilli and yeasts

The caries predictive value of salivary counts of lactobacilli and yeasts was evaluated in 298 children (from 6 to 11 yr of age) concurrently to a 3-yr xylitol field study in Hungary. On a group level the salivary yeasts and the combined information of lactobacilli and yeasts predicted the 3-yr caries increment acceptably. On an individual basis salivary yeasts had more power than salivary lactobacilli. At best the sensitivity and specificity of yeasts were 74% and 75%, and the combined information of lactobacilli and yeasts, 69% and 83%, respectively. Although the results were not that good in all subgroups of the study, they indicate the value of salivary yeasts in caries prediction either as a sole test or together with salivary lactobacilli.