This study was conducted to investigate the relationship of the Cariostat test (CAT 21 test) and the amount of Lactobacilli present in the saliva (Dentocult®-LBw) ith caries status in 228 preschool children.
The effect of the amount of lactobacilli and how it affects the CAT 21 scores was also investigated.
The following results were obtained;
1. The caries prevalence rate and the mean dt scores of the subjects was 64.5% and 2.7, respectively.
2. A highly significant correlation was seen between the CAT scores and the amount of Lactobacilli present, compared with the mean dt scores. (Spearman correlation p<0.001)
3. The mean dt scores increased as the CAT scores increased. When the CAT score was 2.5 or higher, the mean dt scores also increased remarkably. (ANOVA p<0.01)
4. The mean dt scores also increased as the Dentocult-LB scores increases. (ANOVA p<0.01)
5. A highly significant correlation was seen between the CAT score and the amount of Lactobacilli present. It was observed that a low colony count of lactobacilli corresponded to a low CAT score (CAT 1.5 or lower) while a high colony count corresponded to a CAT score of 2.5 or higher.
According to the results above, the study indicated that children who had a CAT score of 2.5 or higher, also showed a remarkably high Lactobacilli colony count.