title: Introduction to cariology.
abstract: This article examines the discipline of cariology. A brief history is presented, and an overview of the origin and management of caries is discussed. This article frames the picture that the other authors in this issue paint.
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA. briclar@umich.edu
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Clarkson
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology / Q000266:history / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D005544:Forecasting; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D012463:Saliva / Q000502:physiology