Caries Risk Assessment Appropriate for the Age 1 Visit(infants and toddlers).

Resident: Roberts
Date: 6/04/10
Article title: Caries Risk Assessment Appropriate for the Age 1 Visit(infants and toddlers).
Author: Ramos-Gomez, Francisco
Journal: CDA Journal
Volume: 35 Number 10
Year: 2007
Discussion
Caries remains the most prevelant childhood disease in the United States – five times more common than asthma. Eight percent of children have 75 percent of the disease. Kids found within low socioeconomic circumstances and are minority are at greatest risk. The AAPD currently recommends that children be seen by their first birthday in order to assess their risk factor for ECC. Caries risk assessment and subsequent management of the disease in children is crucial due to the known fact that caries in the primary dentition is a strong predictor of caries in the permanent dentition. Today many assessment forms are available to providers to aid in this process. Cambra, a caries risk assessment form is designed to clearly identify desease indicators and caries risk factors. A comprehensive protocol includes the following: 1. A parent interview 2. Examination of the child 3. Assignment of caries risk level 4. Individualized treatment based on risk level 5. Bacterial culture on parent or caregiver of child 6. Individualized home care recommendations 7. Motivational interview/strategies for caries control 8. Setting of self magagement goals with parent/child 9. Anticipatory guidance according to a specific age category 10. Determine the interval for POE 11. Collaboration with other health care professionals.
As pediatric dentist our responsibility is to be proactive in seeking out ways to improve the lives of young children. A risk assessment form is one way to to aid us in evaluating the potential risk that our patients face at a very young age.