Limitations of using visual-tactile exams
(cont.)
n Protocol developed primarily to measure dental caries
Dental caries continues to be the most prevalent of all oral
conditions
However its prevalence and severity has declined
dramatically during the past 30 years
No indication will return to the previous levels of disease
n Because dental caries no longer so universal
need surveillance tools to identify, at pop level, those still
affected or at risk of dental caries
and tools to measure other oral conditions and their risk
factors
20