DMFS+Index

**DMFS Index** ==**Description:**  Represents decayed, missing, and filled permanent tooth surfaces. == ==**Category:** dental caries == ==**When it is used:** It is the most commonly used index (DMF) to determine past and present caries experience for an individual or population. ==

**How to use it:**

 * First you select the teeth that will be used. Those that are excluded include: third molars, unerupted teeth, congenitally missing or supernumerary, teeth removed for reasons other than caries, teeth restored for reasons other than caries and primary teeth retained with the permanent present.
 * Determine surfaces that will be used. Each posterior tooth has five surfaces: distal, facial, mesial, lingual, and occlusal. Each anterior tooth has four surfaces: distal, facial, mesial, and lingual.
 * Total surface count for 28 teeth= 128
 * Missing posterior teeth count as five surfaces.

**Procedure:**  Exam carious lesions by sight and by explorer. The lesion is recorded if it is visible by sight, the explorer tip is able to penetrate the surface, demineralized enamel is present, or the explorer tip resists removal from the tooth surface.

**Scoring:**  You can score DMFS either by individual or by a group. For an individual you record the number that correlates to each letter (ex. four decayed surface: D=4). You then add up all the values to give you one total (D+M+F= ). For a group you score each individual the same as I just stated, then you add the individual scores together to determine the sum for the group (10 people with a score of 4= 40). After you determine the sum, you then divide by the number of people to determine the average (40/10= 4).

==<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #20124d; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">**Reversible or Irreversible:** <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This is irreversible because it represents the presence of decay which is an irreversible disease. ==

==<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Although the DMFS index is still the most commonly used index to determine caries experience in a an individual or population, there has been much debate since its origin in 1931. The discussion is over what the appropriate value for “M” should be. Many feel that the maximum number of surfaces should not be scored because this may not represent the caries that were present before extraction. Giving the minimum score would also be a misrepresentation. This problem does not exist with DMFT, because it involves the whole tooth, and does not calculate surfaces. Many examiners have made modifications to the “M” component be demarcating a small 1 or 2 next to the M. Various modifications include scoring the caries present at the patent's last exam before extraction (when applicable) or not counting that tooth at all. ==

==<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">References: == ==<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Broadbent, J. M. and Thomson, W. M. (2005), <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">//For debate: problems with the DMF index pertinent to dental caries data analysis// <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, 33: 400–409. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0528.2005.00259.x ==

==<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wilkins, E. M. (Ed.). (2005). <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">//Clinical practice of the dental hygienist, ninth edition// <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ==


 * // Crystal - very nice. I really like your reference by Broadbent & Thomson. Ms. Lesser //**