NIH Public Access: Pediatric Dental Care: Prevention and Management Protocols Based On Caries Risk Assessment

NIH Public Access
Author Manuscript
J Calif Dent Assoc. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2012 October 14.
NIH-PA Author Manuscript
Published in final edited form as:

J Calif Dent Assoc. 2010 October ; 38(10): 746761.
Pediatric Dental Care: Prevention and Management Protocols

Based on Caries Risk Assessment
FRANCISCO J. RAMOS-GOMEZ, DDS, MS, MPH,
Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Dentistry, Section of Pediatrics,
and a researcher for the University of California, San Francisco, Center to Address Disparities in
Childrens Oral Health CANDO
YASMI O. CRYSTAL, DMD,
Maintains a clinical practice, Comprehensive Pediatric Dentistry, in New Jersey
MAN WAI NG, DDS, MPH,
Dentist-in-chief and assistant professor, Oral and Developmental Biology at the Harvard School
of Dental Medicine
JAMES J. CRALL, DDS, SCD, and

Professor of pediatric dentistry at the University of California, Los Angeles, and project director for
the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Head Start Dental Home Initiative
JOHN D.B. FEATHERSTONE, PHD
Dean and a professor at University of California, San Francisco, School of Dentistry
Abstract
Recent increases in caries prevalence in young children, especially among minorities and the
economically disadvantaged, highlight the need for early establishment of dental homes and
simple, effective infant oral care preventive programs for all children as part of a medical disease
prevention management model.13 This article presents an updated approach and practical tools
for pediatric dental caries management by risk assessment, CAMBRA, in an effort to stimulate
greater adoption of infant oral care programs among clinicians and early establishment of dental
homes for young children.
A 2007 publication by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that although
dental caries prevalence had declined significantly among school-aged children since the
early 1970s, caries rates in children aged 25 years had increased.2 This confirmed early
childhood caries (ECC) as the most prevalent chronic childhood disease in the United States;
five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hayfever.35 ECC
is more prevalent among young children in low socioeconomic populations and among
racial/ethnic minorities who are also more likely to face barriers in accessing care.6 Caries is
a preventable infectious disease and it is well-documented that one of the best predictors for
future tooth decay is the presence of current caries or evidence of prior caries experience.7,8
Despite awareness of an increase in ECC prevalence, infant oral health care, as well as the
establishment of a dental home by age 1, or when the first tooth erupts, has not yet become
the standard of care in clinical practice. The Dental Health Foundations report, Mommy It
Hurts to Chew indicated that 28 percent of California third-graders had untreated tooth
decay.6,9 It also showed that only 35 percent of reporting families had private dental
TO REQUEST A PRINTED COPY OF THIS ARTICLE, PLEASE CONTACT Francisco J. Ramos-Gomez, DDS, MPH, MS,
University of California, Los Angeles, School of Dentistry, 23-020B CHS, 10833 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles, Calif., 90095-1668.
RAMOS-GOMEZ et al.
Page 2
insurance, 42 percent had some type of government-funded coverage, and nearly a quarter
(23 percent) had no dental coverage at all.6
In 2007, a half-million school-aged children missed at least one day of school in California
due to dental problems.10 This resulted in $29.7 million of lost revenue to school districts.10
In the National Survey of Childrens Health, California ranked near the bottom in childrens
oral health (only Arizona and Texas ranked lower).11
Several reports have shown that preventing the onset of ECC is more cost effective
compared to treating advanced caries. Typical costs of comprehensive oral care visits for
preschoolers are considerably less than the cost of emergency room treatment or extensive
restorations requiring sedation or treatment under general anesthesia.12,13 Early
identification of risk indicators and implementation of oral health preventive practices at a
young age can reduce or avoid caries progression.14 The American Dental Association, the
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), the American Academy of Pediatrics
(AAP),the American Association of Public Health Dentistry (AAPHD), and the Academy of
General Dentistry (AGD), all recommend that a child see a dentist to establish a dental home
by age 1 or within six months from eruption of the first primary tooth.1519 A dental home is
defined as the ongoing relationship between the dentist and the patient, inclusive of all
aspects of oral health care delivered in a comprehensive, continuously accessible,
coordinated, and family centered way.20 Establishment of a dental home should include
referrals to dental specialists when appropriate.21
Despite widespread support for establishing a dental home by age 1, infant oral health visits
have not yet been embraced universally by practicing clinicians. This situation persists even
as dental and other health professionals recognize the growing prevalence of early childhood
caries.
This article presents an updated pediatric dental caries management by risk assessment
(CAMBRA) approach, along with practical tools to use in caring for young children, to
stimulate greater adoption of infant oral health care programs by clinicians.14 Age- and riskspecific care paths are included as a part of a disease-prevention management model.
Perinatal Oral Health
Caries is a transmissible, infectious disease. When the disease is allowed to progress, surface
cavitation and destruction of dental tissue occur over time. Due to their ability to stick to
smooth tooth surfaces and produce copious amounts of acid, the mutans streptococci (MS)
group of bacteria is considered one of the most important groups of pathogens in the
cariogenic process.20
Primary caregivers can transmit these organisms to their children, which results in MS
colonization of the childs oral cavity.21 There is a direct relationship between adult
caregiver MS levels and MS levels and dental caries prevalence in their children.21 Factors
influencing colonization include frequent sugar exposure in infants and habits that allow
salivary transfer from mothers to infants. Maternal factors, such as high levels of MS, poor
oral hygiene, low socioeconomic status, and frequent snacking increase the risk of bacterial
transmission to their infants.22 Infants have tested with high levels of MS even before the
eruption of their first tooth.22
Therefore, it is critical to consider an infant oral care program in the context of a motherchild pair or dyad, which includes comprehensive maternal perinatal oral health care and
treatment.
RAMOS-GOMEZ et al.
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Dental professionals have begun to recognize the critical role a mother plays in ensuring her
childs oral health. Improving expectant mothers oral health by reducing pathogenic
bacteria levels in their own mouths can delay the acquisition of oral bacteria in their children
and may delay the development of early childhood caries.23 Restoring carious lesions, by
itself, is insufficient to reduce a mothers risk of transmitting cariogenic bacteria to her
offspring. An effective perinatal program should institute a long-range, pre- and postpartum
maternal strategy to reduce maternal MS and lactobacilli levels through therapeutic
interventions and counseling on lifestyle modifications.23
Unfortunately, pregnant women often do not receive oral health care and education in a
timely manner. Many women do not know they should seek dental care during their
pregnancy and for the many others who do, they often encounter dentists unwilling to
provide dental care during pregnancy. New mothers are more likely to be receptive to ideas
that would improve their offsprings oral health and both dental and obstetric providers have
a prime opportunity to educate mothers on changes that could improve their childrens oral
health.24 In 2010, the CDA Foundation published evidence-based guidelines for health
profession on oral health for pregnant women and infants, which indicate that perinatal oral
health care is not only safe but necessary to the oral and overall health of the pregnant
mother but also that of her infant.23
In light of the importance of perinatal oral health in preventing early childhood caries, and
the need to intervene early for mother and child in a dual parallel track of treatment and
disease prevention management, collaborations and partnerships among all health
professionals are encouraged to foster early and timely oral health care and referrals for
expectant mothers.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has focused in improving childrens oral health
through its Oral Health Initiative and Section on Pediatric Dentistry and Oral Health
(aap.org/oralhealth). Through these efforts, pediatricians are becoming more educated on
oral health and their role in preventing disease and referring to a dental home. However,
many continue to be unaware of the AAPs current oral health recommendations and more
work needs to be done to disseminate this policy and raise awareness. Efforts to increase
awareness of incorporating oral health evaluations into well-child visits are crucial since
pediatricians often see children on an average of up to six times before age 2.
In addition to pediatricians, family practitioners, and other medical providers who see
children frequently during infancy and early childhood are also ideally suited to assess
young children for caries risk assessment and refer for dental care.25 A partnership between
medical and dental professionals is important to increase patient awareness of the
importance of establishing a dental home by the childs first birthday, assessing caries risk,
and coordinating care. As an important step in that direction, the AAPs Bright Futures
Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents, which focuses on
health promotion and prevention for children and their families, not only advocates for a
dental home but also provides extensive information, education and training opportunities,
and materials on pediatric oral health for a broad range of practitioners. The AAP is
currently conducting a Bright Futures Implementation Project, Brightening Oral Health, to
pilot test an oral health risk assessment tool for the primary care practitioner. See TABLE
1.25
Initial Infant Oral Care Visit

Infants and parents can benefit from early infant oral health visits and early establishment of
a dental home. Infant oral health visits should include caries risk assessment, individualized
preventive strategies and anticipatory guidance.27 Periodic supervision of care intervals
RAMOS-GOMEZ et al.
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(periodicity) should be determined based on each patients risk of disease and include ageand risk-appropriate care paths for management of the disease process.14
Infants and toddlers should not be expected to be cooperative during an oral examination.
Crying and movement are developmentally age-appropriate behaviors for young children.
Explaining expected behaviors to parents prior to, during and after infant care visits can help
allay any fears and concerns they may have.
There is a simple six-step protocol for an infant oral care visit:
1.
Caries risk assessment;
2.
Proper positioning of the child (knee-to-knee exam);
3.
Age-appropriate toothbrushing prophylaxis;
4.
Clinical examination of the childs oral cavity and dentition;
5.
Fluoride varnish treatment; and,
6.
Assignment of risk, anticipatory guidance, self-management goals and counseling.
1. Caries Risk Assessment
An individualized risk assessment of an infant or toddler for developing caries serves as the
foundation for health care providers and parents/caregivers to identify and understand the
childs ECC risk factors. The specific information gained from a systematic assessment of
caries risk guides the dentist in the decision-making process for treatment and preventive
protocols for children already with disease and those deemed at risk. For optimal outcomes,
caries risk assessment should be done as early as possible, and preferably, prior to the onset
of the disease process. Since caries in the primary dentition is a strong predictor of caries in
the permanent dentition, caries risk assessment and therapeutic management of the disease is
crucial, as is the subsequent follow-up.28,29
Risk factors are determined from an interview with the parent and from a clinical assessment
of the child. Further details, where evidence-based disease indicators, biological risk factors
and preventive factors are described, have been previously published by Ramos-Gomez et
al. and are accessible via the web at cdafoundation.org/journal.14 The example provided in
TABLE 2 is a one-page, practical form for use in the dental office and has been modified
from the original form published by Ramos-Gomez et al. based on the collective experience
of pediatric dentists using the form and recommendations developed by the NIDCR-PRIME
research at the SF NAHC and the CAMBRA coalition committee of West Coast Dental
Schools. TABLE 3 in the present article offers further modifications of the original
published form that is an alternative currently suggested by the AAPD.
In practice, the caries risk assessment would begin in the dental office with an initial
interview with the parent or caregiver. The assessment interview should explore biological
or lifestyle predisposing risk factors that contribute to the development or progression of
caries. Examples of these risk factors include recently placed dental restorations or active
caries in the mother, low health literacy of caregiver, frequent intake of fermentable
carbohydrates by the infant, sleeping with a bottle that contains liquids other than water,
prolonged use of a sippy cup containing milk, juice, or a sweetened beverage. The
practitioner can simply circle Yes beside the risk or protective factors that apply in order
to make a judgment as to whether the risk factors outweigh the protective factors or vice
versa, thereby determining a risk status of low, moderate, or high. The risk level will then
dictate which care path to be used, as described below.
RAMOS-GOMEZ et al.
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Protective factors are indicators of preventive activities that may reduce a childs risk for the
onset extension of ECC and should be assessed during the parental interview. These factors
include optimal exposure to fluoride, access to regular dental care (e.g., the presence of a
dental home), and consistent daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste.
Disease indicators are indications of current and active caries and are obtained from the
clinical examination of the child and include cavitated carious lesions, white spot lesions/
decalcifications, and recent restorations. Biological risk factors are also observed at the
clinical examination and include the presence of plaque, gingival bleeding (an indicator of
inadequate oral hygiene), and dry mouth. In older children, the presence of dental or
orthodontic appliances increases plaque retention and the risk for caries.
The caries balance concept (FIGURE 1) states that the progression or reversal of dental
caries is determined by the balance between pathological factors and caries protective
factors.3033 A risk assessment categorization of low, moderate, or high is based on a
preponderance of the factors circled as Yes on the caries risk assessment form. When risk
factors outweigh the protective factors, it indicates an increased likelihood for the
development of caries, which would place the child in a high-risk category. When protective
factors prevail and risk factors are controlled, the child can be considered low risk. The
clinicians experience, expertise, and personal historical experience with his patient and the
childs caregivers, is of vital importance in determining a childs risk, which serves as the
basis for an individualized treatment plan for each infant/caregiver. These specific patient
conditions and risks will help the practitioner and the parents understand the factors that
contribute to or protect the patient from caries.
2. Proper Positioning
Proper positioning of the child is critical to conducting an effective and efficient clinical
exam in a young child. In general, the knee-to-knee position should be used with children
ages 6 months to 3 years, or up to age 5 with children who have special health care needs.
Children older than 3 may be able to sit forward on their caregivers lap or sit alone in a
chair. Examiners and caregivers need to work together to transition the child smoothly from
the interview to the exam. The clinician should explain what will happen (Tell-Show-Do)
prior to starting and anticipate that young children may cry since crying is developmentally
appropriate for children at this age. If the child can perceive a friendly and comfortable
interaction between the clinician and caretaker, a positive tone is frequently set for the visit.
Knee-to-knee positioning allows the child to see the parent throughout the exam. It also
allows the caregiver to observe clinical findings and hygiene demonstrations directly, while
gently helping to stabilize the child safely for the clinical examination.
3. Toothbrush Prophylaxis
A toothbrush prophylaxis is efficient in removing plaque in most young children. It is also
nonthreatening to young children and serves to demonstrate the proper technique of
brushing to the caregiver. The examiner retracts the childs lips and cheeks and
demonstrates brushing along the gingival margins (FIGURE 2). The spongy handle of an
age-appropriate toothbrush can be used to prop open the childs mouth. The handle of a
second toothbrush can be used as a mouth prop. During this Tell-Show-Do encounter, the
caregiver should be encouraged to brush their childs teeth at least twice a day, especially
before bedtime. The use of fluoride toothpaste should be emphasized since fluoride has been
shown to be effective both systemically and topically to prevent caries. Parents and
caregivers should be instructed to use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste for
children age 26 and a smear for children under age 2.34 (FIGURE 3) Children should be
taught to spit out excess toothpaste during and after brushing.
RAMOS-GOMEZ et al.
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4. Clinical Examination
Clinical examination can be accomplished while counting the childs teeth aloud, using the
toothbrush handle as a mouth prop, if necessary. Many providers make a game of this task,
singing songs, engaging the childs attention, and, if all else fails, distracting the child with a
brightly colored toothbrush or toy. Praise the child at each step for their cooperation and
good behavior. While counting the teeth, the examiner also inspects the soft tissues, hard
tissues, and occlusion, if the child is able to cooperate. Data from the clinical exam results
should be combined with data from the caregiver interview to determine the childs overall
caries risk, establish an oral diagnosis, and formulate an individualized treatment plan.
The following information should be documented:
Visible plaque and location;
White spot lesions;
Demineralized or remineralized enamel;
Brown spots on the occlusal surfaces that may indicate caries;
Tooth defects, deep pits/fissures, tooth anomalies;
Missing and decayed teeth;
Existing restorations;
Defective restorations;
Gingivitis or other soft tissue abnormalities;
Occlusion; and
Indications of trauma.
5. Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride is an important and cost-effective prevention method to strengthen tooth enamel

and prevent decay. The ADA recommends that high caries risk children receive a full-mouth
topical fluoride varnish application with reapplication consistently at three months
intervals.35 A minimum of every six months is recommended for children at moderate caries
risk, even if the child lives in a community that already receives the benefits of water
fluoridation34 (FIGURE 3). Practitioners should also be aware that fluoridation of public
water supplies can vary greatly by community and by the water source. Only 27.1 percent of
Californians have access to optimally fluoridated community (tap) water.9 Providers should
reiterate the cumulative benefit of the fluoride varnish, even if it has been mentioned earlier
in the visit.40 Following the fluoride application, the caregiver should be reminded not to
allow brushing of the childs teeth or eating crunchy/sticky foods for the rest of the day to
maximize the effect of the fluoride varnish.
6. Risk-Classification, Anticipatory Guidance, Self-Management Goals and Counseling
An individualized treatment plan (TABLES 4 and 5) for each infant/caregiver is determined
by the risk determined from the parent interview and the clinical examination of the child. A
dual treatment plan approach is essential for moderate and high caries risk children and their
parent/caregivers. Strategies need to be employed to modify the maternal transmission of
cariogenic bacteria to infants through the potential use of chlorhexidine rinse and xylitol
products for caregivers, and fluoride varnish for both the caregiver and the child.36
Additionally, the necessary changes in the childs diet, toothbrushing, and fluoride
RAMOS-GOMEZ et al.
Page 7
application can be identified from the risk analysis. Expected parental compliance to
recommended treatment protocols is essential for moderate and high caries risk children.
Parents should be given additional information and anticipatory guidance on the prevention
of dental disease that is specific to the their childs needs and caries risk factors, e.g.,
information on oral hygiene, growth and development, teething, digit or pacifier habits, oral
habits, diet and nutrition, and injury prevention (FIGURE 4). The anticipatory guidance
approach is designed to take advantage of time-critical opportunities to implement
preventive health practices and reduce the childs risk of preventable oral disease.37
An important component of the visit is to counsel parents to change specific risk factors,
which may contribute to caries activity or the childs caries risk. Traditionally, general
recommendations to parents such as brush your teeth twice a day and dont eat candy,
have had very limited success. Research shows that family-centered approaches and
individualized recommendations are more promising in engaging parents to change specific
practices.
Motivational interviewing is a counseling technique that relies on two-way communication

between the clinician and the patient or parent and establishes a therapeutic alliance (rapport
and trust).38 In this process the clinician asks questions to help parents identify problems;
listens to their concerns; encourages self-motivational statements; prepares them for change
(discussing the hurdles that interfere with action); sets attainable specific self-management
goals; responds to resistance; schedules follow-up appointments; and prepares the parent for
their familys specific and unique difficulties, which inevitably arise when instituting a
consistent, lifetime dental care program for their child.39
Following the brief motivational interviewing (counseling), the parent/caregiver is asked to
select two self-management goals or recommendations as their assignments before the next
re-evaluation dental visit and to commit to the two goals selected, and is informed that the
oral health care providers will follow-up on those goals with them at the next appointment
(FIGURE 4).
Recall Visits and Recall Periodicity
The clinician must consider each childs individual needs to determine the appropriate
interval and frequency for oral examination; some infants and toddlers with high caries risk
should be re-evaluated on a monthly basis.37 Most children at high risk need to be seen on a
three-month interval for re-evaluation, additional counseling and clinical preventive services
(e.g., fluoride varnish). Children in the moderate-risk category usually are placed on a sixmonth interval, while low-risk children can be re-evaluated at six- to 12-month intervals.
Parents who have demonstrated compliance with recommendations for three to six months
should be scheduled back for a follow-up visit with their child for reassessment of risk.
Parents need encouragement early on when new behavioral change is required and should be
questioned regarding any difficulties with following recommendations. Reassessment of risk
factors and monitoring the progress of improvements in established self-management goals
are essential elements of infant oral care visits. Modifications of recommendations or
positive reinforcement for successful changes are necessary to achieve and sustain
successful risk modification. Parents should be reminded that changing risk factors and
lifestyles do not happen overnight and require persistence.
RAMOS-GOMEZ et al.
Page 8
Summary
Pediatric dentists and general dentists have a critical role in preventing and reducing the
severity of early childhood caries. Embracing the concepts of caries risk assessment, early
establishment of a dental home, medical home with their recommendations integrated within
the family home practices are essential. Perinatal and infant oral health and implementation
of the techniques, protocols, and care paths highlighted in this paper in a clinical practice
can help break the cycle of dental disease in high-risk families and reduce burden of disease.
Caries risk assessment, individualized counseling, clinical preventive services such as
fluoride varnish applications, xylitol use, and referral of high-risk infants and children to
dental homes are increasingly being recognized as important elements of efforts to engage
other pediatric health care providers in reducing the prevalence and severity of early
childhood caries.
Many providers adapt caries risk assessment tools to meet their individual practice needs.
For example, the Western CAMBRA group uses and recommends the forms presented in
TABLE 2. AAPD has endorsed and adapted as their 2010 Risk Assessment the guideline
presented in TABLE 3. Also, some pediatricians have been using an AAP-recommended
sticker version of caries risk assessment tools on their charts (TABLE 1). Whatever form is
chosen, what remains critical is the process of assessing caries risk on a routine basis in an
individualized and age-specific manner that can empower practitioners and parents/
caregivers in identifying each childs risk and protective behaviors for a targeted age- and
risk-specific approach to lower their risk for ECC.
Acknowledgments
The authors wish to acknowledge NIDCR R21DE018650-01 for providing support for research and the PRIME
team and staff at the San Francisco Native American Health Center for development of the CAMBRA 0-5
instrument. They also thank Dr. Norman Tinanoff for contributing his support and knowledge to this project; CSPD
and Dr. Paul Reggiardo for their invitation to contribute for this publication; Ms. Debra Tom for her editorial
assistance; and in addition, to HRSA Oral Health Disparities Collaborative for implementation of the CAMBRA
instrument and development of the self-management goal instrument through High Plains Health Center. The
authors also wish to acknowledge the Western CAMBRA coalition and the American Academy of Pediatric
Dentistry for its support and leadership on development of the caries risk assessment tool, and the committee and
staff of the American Academy of Pediatrics and their project, Brightening Oral Health: Implementing Oral Health
Risk Assessments in Pediatric Care.
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periodicity of examination, preventive dental services, anticipatory guidance and oral treatment for
children. 2003. aapd.org
38. Weinstein P, Harrison R, Benton T. Motivating parents to prevent caries in their young children. J
Am Dent Assoc. 2004; 135:7318. [PubMed: 15270155]
39. Weinstein P. Provider versus patient-centered approaches to health promotion with parents of
young children: what works/does not work and why. Pediatr Dent. 2006; 28:1726. [PubMed:
16708793]
40. The Pew Center on the States. [Accessed Sept. 17, 2010] The cost of delay state dental policies fail
one in five children. 2010. pewcenteronthestates.org/uploadedFiles/Cost_of_Delay_web.pdf

RAMOS-GOMEZ et al.
Page 11

FIGURE 1.
Caries balance.

RAMOS-GOMEZ et al.
Page 12

FIGURE 2.
Knee-to-knee positioning.

RAMOS-GOMEZ et al.
Page 13

FIGURE 3.
Topical fluoride recommendations for high-risk children younger than age 6.

RAMOS-GOMEZ et al.
Page 14

FIGURE 4.
Self-management goals.

RAMOS-GOMEZ et al.
Page 15
TABLE 1
AAP-Recommended Sticker Version of Caries Risk Assessment Tools

*
Current AAPD recommendation, not currently the recommendation of Bright Futures or the CDC.
Adapted from: Preventive Oral health Intervention for Pediatricians (2008), Oral Health Risk Assessment, Timing and Establishment of the Dental
Home (2003), and Ramos-Gomez, FJ, Crall, et al, Featherstone J, Caries risk assessment appropriate for the age 1 visit (infants and toddlers). J
Calif Dent Assoc 35(10) 697702, October 2007. Distributed with funding from Crest and Oral-B Health Smiles, P&G Live, Learn and Thrive
Initiative.
RAMOS-GOMEZ et al.
Page 16
TABLE 2
CAMBRA Caries Risk Assessment Form for Age 0 to 5 Years

Assessment based on providers judgment of balance between risk factors/disease indicators and protective factors.
RAMOS-GOMEZ et al.
Page 17
TABLE 3
Example of a Caries Risk Assessment Form for 05 Year Olds** as adopted in 2010 by the American
Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD)

Annual
Every 6 months
Every 36 months
Every 3 months
Moderate
Moderate; Noncompliant
High
Periodic Oral Exams
Low
Risk Category Ages 0

to 2
Anterior (#2
occlusal film)
and posterior
bitewings at 6
12 month
intervals if
proximal
surfaces cannot
be examined
visually or with
a probe
Posterior
bitewings at 6
12 month
intervals if
proximal
surfaces cannot
be examined
visually or with
a probe
Posterior
bitewings at 6
12 month
intervals if
proximal
surfaces cannot
be examined
visually or with
a probe
Posterior
bitewings at 12
24 month
intervals if
proximal
surfaces cannot
be examined
visually or with
a probe
Radiographs*
Diagnostic
Required
Required
Recommended
Optional baseline
Saliva Test
In office: F varnish
initial visit &
recalls
Home: Brush 2
day w/smear of F
toothpaste
combined w/smear
of 900 ppm
calcium-phosphate
paste, leave on at
bedtime
initial visit &
recalls
Home: Brush 2
day w/smear of F
toothpaste
combined w/smear
of 900 ppm
calcium-phosphate
paste, leave on at
bedtime
Caregiver: OTC
sodium fluoride
treatment rinses
In office: F
Varnish initial visit
& recalls
Home: Brush 2
day w/smear of F
toothpaste
Caregiver: OTC
sodium fluoride
treatment rinses
In office: No
Home: Brush 2
day w/ smear of F
toothpaste
Fluoride
Child: Xylitol
wipes
Caregiver: 2
sticks of gum or 2
mints 4 day
Child: Xylitol
wipes
Caregiver: 2
sticks of gum or 2
mints 4 day
Child: Xylitol
wipes
Caregiver: 2
sticks of gum or 2
mints 4 day
Not Required
Xylitol Products
Fluoridereleasing
sealants
recommended
on deep pits
and fissures
Fluoridereleasing
sealants
recommended
on deep pits
and fissures
Fluoridereleasing
sealants
recommended
on deep pits
and fissures
No
Sealants
Recommend for caregiver
No
No
Antibacterials
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Anticipatory Guidance/Counseling
Preventive Intervention
Yes
Yes
No
No
Self-Management Goals
Treat w/ fluoride
products as
indicated to
promote
remineralization
Treat w/ fluoride
products as
indicated to
promote
remineralization
Treat w/ fluoride
products as
indicated to
promote
remineralization
n/a
White Spot /
Precavitated
Lesions
ITR (interim
therapeutic
restorations) or
conventional
restorative
treatment as
patient
cooperation and
family
circumstances
allow
n/a
n/a
n/a
Existing Lesions
Restoration**
The science of caries prevention continues to evolve. This table is an illustration on how to develop care paths for a practices patients. There are many alternative approaches to the prevention and treatment
of dental caries, with more emerging continuously. Care paths should remain dynamic and change over time as the effectiveness of new as well as current protocols is validated by scientific evidence.
TABLE 4
Example of a Caries Management Protocol for 02 Year Olds

RAMOS-GOMEZ et al.
Page 18
Every 13 months
Anterior (#2
occlusal film)
and posterior
bitewings at 6
12 month
intervals if
proximal
surfaces cannot
be examined
visually or with
a probe
Anterior (#2
occlussal film)
and posterior
bitewings at 6
12 month
intervals if
proximal
surfaces cannot
be examined
visually or with
a probe
Required
Required
Saliva Test
initial visit &
recalls
Home: Brush 2
day w/smear of F
toothpaste
combined w/smear
of 900 ppm
calcium-phosphate
paste, leave on at
bedtime
Caregiver: OTC
sodium fluoride
treatment rinses
initial visit &
recalls
Home: Brush 2
day w/smear of F
toothpaste
combined w/smear
of 900 ppm
calcium-phosphate
paste, leave on at
bedtime
Caregiver: OTC
sodium fluoride
treatment rinses
Caregiver: OTC
sodium fluoride
treatment rinses
Fluoride
Child: Xylitol
wipes
Caregiver: 2
sticks of gum or 2
mints 4 day
Child: Xylitol
wipes
Caregiver: 2
sticks of gum or 2
mints 4 day
Xylitol Products
Fluoridereleasing
sealants
recommended
on deep pits
and fissures
Fluoridereleasing
sealants
recommended
on deep pits
and fissures
Sealants
Antibacterials
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Guideline on pediatric restorative dentistry. Pediatr Dent30(suppl):1639, 2008
**
American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs. The use of dental radiographs: update and recommendations. J Am Dent Assoc137:130412, 2006
Extreme
Every 13 months
High; Noncompliant
Radiographs*
Periodic Oral Exams
Yes
Yes
Anticipatory Guidance/Counseling
Diagnostic
Yes
Yes
Self-Management Goals
Treat w/ fluoride
products as
indicated to
promote
remineralization
Treat w/ fluoride
products as
indicated to
promote
remineralization
White Spot /
Precavitated
Lesions
ITR or
conventional
restorative
treatment as
patient
cooperation and
family
circumstances
allow
ITR or
conventional
restorative
treatment as
patient
cooperation and
family
circumstances
allow
Existing Lesions
Restoration**
Risk Category Ages 0

to 2
RAMOS-GOMEZ et al.
Page 19
Annual
Every 6 months
Every 36 months
Every 3 months
Moderate
Moderate; Noncompliant
High
Periodic Oral Exams
Low
Risk Category Ages

3 to 6
Anterior (#2
occlusal film)
and posterior
bitewings at 6
12 month
intervals if
proximal
surfaces cannot
be examined
visually or with
a probe
Posterior
bitewings at 6
12 month
intervals if
proximal
surfaces cannot
be examined
visually or with
a probe
Posterior
bitewings at 6
12 month
intervals if
proximal
surfaces cannot
be examined
visually or with
a probe
Posterior
bitewings at 12
24 month
intervals if
proximal
surfaces cannot
be examined
visually or with
a probe
Radiographs*
Diagnostic
Required
Required
Recommended
Optional baseline
Saliva Test
In office: F
varnish initial visit
& recalls
Home: Brush 2
day w/pea-size of
F toothpaste
combined w/peasize of 900 ppm
calcium-phosphate
paste, leave on at
bedtime
In office: F
& recalls
Home: Brush 2
day w/pea-size of
F toothpaste
calcium-phosphate
paste, leave on at
bedtime
Caregiver: OTC
sodium fluoride
treatment rinses
In office: F
Varnish initial
visit & recalls
Home: Brush 2
day w/pea-size of
F toothpaste
Caregiver: OTC
sodium fluoride
treatment rinses
In office: No
Home: Brush 2
day w/ pea-size of
F toothpaste
Fluoride
Child: Xylitol
wipes/ products to
substitute for
sweet treats or
when unable to
brush.
Caregiver: 2
sticks of gum or 2
mints 4 day
Child: Xylitol
wipes/ products to
substitute for
sweet treats or
when unable to
brush.
Caregiver: 2
sticks of gum or 2
mints 4 day
Child: Xylitol
wipes/ products to
substitute for
sweet treats or
when unable to
brush.
Caregiver: 2
sticks of gum or 2
mints 4 day
Not Required
Xylitol Products
Fluoridereleasing
sealants
recommended
on deep pits
and fissures
Fluoridereleasing
sealants
recommended
on deep pits
and fissures
Fluoridereleasing
sealants
recommended
on deep pits
and fissures
No
Sealants
No
No
Antibacterials
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Anticipatory Guidance/ Counseling
Yes
Yes
No
No
Self- Management Goals
Treat w/fluoride
products as
indicated to
promote
remineralization
Treat w/fluoride
products as
indicated to
promote
remineralization
Treat w/fluoride
products as
indicated to
promote
remineralization
n/a
White Spot /
Precavitated
Lesions
ITR (interim
therapeutic
restorations) or
conventional
restorative
treatment as
patient
cooperation and
family
circumstances
allow
n/a
n/a
n/a
Existing Lesions
Restoration**
The science of caries prevention continues to evolve. This table is an illustration on how to develop care paths for a practices patients. There are many alternative approaches to the prevention and treatment
of dental caries, with more emerging continuously. Care paths should remain dynamic and change over time as the effectiveness of new as well as current protocols is validated by scientific evidence.
TABLE 5
Example of a Caries Management Protocol for 36-Year-Olds

RAMOS-GOMEZ et al.
Page 20
Every 13 months
Anterior (#2
occlusal film)
and posterior
bitewings at 6
12 month
intervals if
proximal
surfaces cannot
be examined
visually or with
a probe
Anterior (#2
occlusal film)
and posterior
bitewings at 6
12 month
intervals if
proximal
surfaces cannot
be examined
visually or with
a probe
Required
Required
Saliva Test
In office: F
& recalls
Home: Brush 2
day w/pea-size of
F toothpaste
calcium-phosphate
paste, leave on at
bedtime
Caregiver: OTC
sodium fluoride
treatment rinses
In office: F
& recalls
Home: Brush 2
day w/pea-size of
F toothpaste
calcium-phosphate
paste, leave on at
bedtime
Caregiver: OTC
sodium fluoride
treatment rinses
Caregiver: OTC
sodium fluoride
treatment rinses
Fluoride
Child: Xylitol
wipes/ products to
substitute for
sweet treats or
when unable to
brush.
Caregiver: 2
sticks of gum or 2
mints 4 day
Child: Xylitol
wipes/ products to
substitute for
sweet treats or
when unable to
brush.
Caregiver: 2
sticks of gum or 2
mints 4 day
Xylitol Products
Fluoridereleasing
sealants
recommended
on deep pits
and fissures
Fluoridereleasing
sealants
recommended
on deep pits
and fissures
Sealants
Antibacterials
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Guideline on pediatric restorative dentistry. Pediatr Dent30(suppl):1639, 2008
**
American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs. The use of dental radiographs: update and recommendations. J Am Dent Assoc137:130412, 2006
Extreme
Every 13 months
High; Noncompliant
Radiographs*
Periodic Oral Exams
Yes
Yes
Anticipatory Guidance/ Counseling
Diagnostic
Yes
Yes
Self- Management Goals
Treat w/fluoride
products as
indicated to
promote
remineralization
Treat w/fluoride
products as
indicated to
promote
remineralization
White Spot /
Precavitated
Lesions
ITR or
conventional
restorative
treatment as
patient
cooperation and
family
circumstances
allow
ITR or
conventional
restorative
treatment as
patient
cooperation and
family
circumstances
allow
Existing Lesions
Restoration**
Risk Category Ages

3 to 6
RAMOS-GOMEZ et al.
Page 21

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Published in final edited form as:

Pediatric Dental Care: Prevention and Management Protocols

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JAMES J. CRALL, DDS, SCD, and

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Perinatal Oral Health

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Initial Infant Oral Care Visit

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Caries risk assessment;

Proper positioning of the child (knee-to-knee exam);

Age-appropriate toothbrushing prophylaxis;

Clinical examination of the childs oral cavity and dentition;

Fluoride varnish treatment; and,

Assignment of risk, anticipatory guidance, self-management goals and counseling.

1. Caries Risk Assessment

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Visible plaque and location;

White spot lesions;

Demineralized or remineralized enamel;

Brown spots on the occlusal surfaces that may indicate caries;

Tooth defects, deep pits/fissures, tooth anomalies;

Missing and decayed teeth;

Gingivitis or other soft tissue abnormalities;

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Fluoride is an important and cost-effective prevention method to strengthen tooth enamel

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Motivational interviewing is a counseling technique that relies on two-way communication

Recall Visits and Recall Periodicity

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Topical fluoride recommendations for high-risk children younger than age 6.

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NIH-PA Author Manuscript

AAP-Recommended Sticker Version of Caries Risk Assessment Tools