Download American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Caries Risk Assessment Tool

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
Caries Risk Assessment Tool (CAT*)
Low risk
Clinical
Conditions
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
No caries
No enamel demineralization
No visible plaque
No gingivitis
Moderate risk
High risk
ƒ Carious teeth in past 24 months
ƒ 1 area of enamel demineralization
ƒ Carious teeth in the past 12
(enamel
ƒ Caries “white spots lesions”)
ƒ Gingivitis
ƒ More than 1 area of enamel
months
demineralization
ƒ (enamel caries, “white spot lesions”
ƒ Visible plaque on anterior front
teeth
ƒ Radiographic enamel caries
ƒ High titers of mutans streptococci
ƒ Wearing dental or orthodontic
appliances
ƒ Enamel hypoplasia
Environmental
Characteristics
ƒ Optimal systemic topical fluoride
exposure
ƒ Consumption of simple sugars or
foods strongly associated with
caries initiation primarily at
mealtimes
ƒ High caregiver socioeconomic
status
ƒ Regular use of dental care in an
established dental home
General Health
Conditions
ƒ Suboptimal systemic fluoride
exposure with optimal topical
exposure
ƒ Occasional (1-2) between-meal
exposures to simple sugars or
foods strongly associated with
caries
ƒ Mid-level caregiver socioeconomic
status (i.e., eligible for school lunch
program or SCHIP)
ƒ Irregular use of dental services
ƒ Suboptimal topical fluoride
exposure
ƒ Frequent (i.e. 3 or more) between-
meal exposures to simple sugars
or foods strongly associated with
caries
ƒ Low-level caregiver socioeconomic
status (i.e. Eligible for Medicaid)
ƒ No usual source of dental care
ƒ Active caries present in the mother
ƒ Children with special health care
needs
ƒ Conditions impairing saliva
composition/flow
*AAPD, Council on Clinical Affairs, www.aapd.org