Caries Risk Assessment

Caries risk assessment is still in the developmental stage. No single model can be recommended for use in a clinical setting at this time. Nor is it likely that there will ever be a "one size fits - all" caries risk assessment model. Some of the current models demonstrating acceptable accuracy are based on factors that are either difficult or expensive to collect. A caries risk assessment model should be appropriate from the age of the patient, the dentist's style of practice and the prevalence of caries in the population. A combination of aetiological factors, caries prevalence and incidence , external and internal modifying risk indicators, risk factors as well as preventive factors may use to assess individual caries risk as low risk or high risk. The Cariogram is an excellent way to find the caries risk and the causes of the disease. Both the patient and the dentist will have an advantage from doing a caries risk assessment.