BEYOND THE DENTAL CHAIR: A REVIEW OF OPTICAL SCREENING FOR NON-CAVITATED CARIES IN COMMUNITY SETTINGS

Abstract

Despite all the advances in oral health, dental caries continues to be one of the most prevalent oral diseases globally and places a considerable burden on oral health and health care systems of all ages. The development of early non-cavitated carious lesions are crucial for preventing further disease progression and minimally invasive dental treatment. Traditional diagnostic methods like examination with the eyes and hands and radiography can be limited in detecting early enamel changes and can be challenging to use in large community screening programs. New developments in screening technology for light waves offer hope for early detection of caries using non-invasive, radiation-free and portable screening tools. This review is focused on the use of optical screening techniques for the detection of non-cavitated caries outside the dental clinic, especially in the context of community based oral health care programs. Newer optical technologies such as quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF), digital imaging fiber-optic transillumination (DIFOTI), near-infrared transillumination (NIRT), laser fluorescence devices and the upcoming, developing artificial intelligence-based imaging systems are assessed for their diagnostic value, availability and feasibility. The review points to the research evidence supporting the value of optical screening to early diagnosis, greater access to preventive dental services, and population-based caries management approaches. While optical techniques show potential for high accuracy and effectiveness, the cost, availability of equipment, operator training and standardization are significant concerns. New portable optical devices and artificial intelligence (AI) based solutions could further improve the potential of community level dental screening on a larger scale. In summary, the use of optical screening is an important improvement in the field of preventive dentistry, allowing for early detection of caries and dental health care to go beyond the dental chair.