Caries Risk Assessment

Because caries is a multifactorial disease, the incorporation of caries risk assessment into the concept of caries management should include factors that may affect caries development. Factors such as past and current caries, diet, fluoride exposure, presence of cariogenic bacteria, salivary status, general medical history and sociodemographic influences should be included when evaluating a patient’s caries risk status. The preventive and restorative caries management plan and frequency of recall visits should depend on a patient’s caries risk. Furthermore, therisk assessment, any proposed management strategy and outcomes should be recorded formally over time to monitor and measure treatment efficacy.