Caries risk assessment: why, when and how?

Abstract

This literature study reviewed papers on caries risk assessment on patients` above 18 years published between 2000 and 2010. In the present study three different methods are discussed: The Cariogram, CAMBRA ( Caries Management By Risk Assessment) and the UIT – method (University of Tromsø). The purpose of caries risk assessments are to find out which risk level the patient has and try to lower the risk. By evaluating the protective and pathologic factors involved in the carious disease the dentist finds the appropriate risk for each patient. This makes it easier to give the right individual treatment. These methods are good ways to find the causes of the carious disease which today has an increasing focus. Treating the cause is a cost – effective approach. Both dentist and patients will benefit from doing a caries risk assessment.