Comparing between epidemiological surveys

Comparison between WHO 1 and ICDAS II 2 Codes

WHO Codes

ICDAS II Codes

Visual Caries Detection

Threshold

00

Sound

01
0, A (sound)

1, B (decayed crown)

02

Non cavitated

03

Surface
discontinuity 3

04, 14, 24

Non cavitated

05, 15. 25, 80-85

Cavitated

Enamel
caries
(visually)

Obvious
dentinal
caries
(visually)

06, 16, 26, 86

2, C (filled and decayed)

3, D (filled, no decay)
4, E (missing due to caries)
5 (permanent tooth missing for other
reasons)

6, F (sealant)

7, G (bridge abutment or special

crown)
8 (unerupted)

All 2 digit codes starting with 3, 4, 5, 6 and

ending 4, 5 or 6
All 2 digit codes starting 3, 4, 5, 6 and
ending 0, 1, 2 or 3 (*see exception below for
crowns/abutments placed for reasons other
than caries)
97
98
10, 20, 11, 21, 13, 23 also WHO may
include composite restorations restoring an
investigated occlusal fissure to be in this
catergory ie some instances of code 30, 31,
32, 33
*Any 2 digit code starting 6 and ending 0,
1,2 or 3 and placed for some reason other
than for caries, e.g. bridge abutment or
because of trauma
99

1.
2.
3.

Oral Surveys - Basic Methods (4th Edition) accessed on 14th December 2007 from http://www.whocollab.od.mah.se/expl/orhsurvey97.html
ICDAS II codes accessed on 14th December 2007 from http://www.icdas.org/

4.

There may be micro-cavitation but no cavity exposing dentine

ICDAS code 3 is enamel caries with surface discontinuity but no dentine is exposed. At the dentinal threshold for visual detection therefore this would be
coded as sound even though it is known that many of these lesions would histologically involve dentine. Please note that interpretation of the WHO criteria
varies internationally as to whether ICDAS code 3 lesions would be regarded as sound or not.

WHO Caries Criteria

4th Edition Oral Surveys - Basic Methods
Code
Primary
teeth

Permanent
teeth

Condition/status

Crown

Crown

Root

Sound

Decayed

Filled, with decay

Filled, no decay

Missing, as a result of caries

Missing, any other reason

Fissure sealant

Bridge abutment, special crown or veneer/implant

Unerupted tooth (crown)/unexposed root

Trauma (fracture)

Not recorded

ICDAS II Caries Criteria

A 2-digit code
should be used.
The first digit is
the Restoration
and Sealant Code
and the second
digit is the Caries
Code

Restoration and Sealant Codes

0 = Not sealed or restored
1 = Sealant, partial
2 = Sealant, full
3 = Tooth coloured restoration
4 = Amalgam restoration
5 = Stainless steel crown
6 = Porcelain, gold, PFM crown or veneer
7 = Lost or broken restoration
8 = Temporary restoration

Caries Codes
0 = Sound tooth surface
1 = First visual change in enamel
2 = Distinct visual change in enamel
3 = Enamel breakdown, no dentine visible
4 = Dentinal shadow (not cavitated into dentine)
5 = Distinct cavity with visible dentine
6 = Extensive distinct cavity with visible dentine
Missing Teeth
97 = Extracted due to caries
98 = Missing for other reason
99 = Unerupted