DMFS stands for what?

DMFS stands for what?

• A. Decayed, Missing, and Filled Surfaces
• B. Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth
• C. Defects, Missing, and Filled Surfaces
• D. Developmental Mottling and Fissures

Answer: (A)

DMFS is a surface-level caries experience measure. It counts each tooth surface that has been affected by caries: surfaces that are currently decayed, surfaces missing due to caries, and surfaces filled because of caries. The emphasis on surfaces (not whole teeth) lets you capture caries experience more precisely, since a single tooth has multiple surfaces that can be affected. This is why the standard term uses Surfaces. Other options don’t fit because they either refer to whole teeth or to conditions not included in this index (like developmental mottling or defects).

DMFS is a surface-level caries experience measure. It counts each tooth surface that has been affected by caries: surfaces that are currently decayed, surfaces missing due to caries, and surfaces filled because of caries. The emphasis on surfaces (not whole teeth) lets you capture caries experience more precisely, since a single tooth has multiple surfaces that can be affected. This is why the standard term uses Surfaces. Other options don’t fit because they either refer to whole teeth or to conditions not included in this index (like developmental mottling or defects).