Indices for Dental Caries 2:

A more detailed index is DMF(S) which is calculated on a per tooth surface.   Molars and premolars having 5 surfaces and anterior teeth 4 surfaces.  Again, a surface with both caries and a restoration is scored as D.  Maximum value for DMF(S) is 128.

• Average DMF(S) for a person over 18 years old is 22 (NHANES III study).

• As previously mentioned, "M" is sometimes omitted especially in older populations where teeth may be missing due to periodontal disease.  Thus in some cases the indices are reported as DF(S) or DF(T).

• The primary dentition, consisting of maximum 20 teeth, the corresponding designations are "deft" or "defs", where "e" indicates "extracted or exfoliated tooth".  Index is useful up to the age of 6, after which shedding becomes the dominant factor.

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