title: Clinical decision making for caries management in children.
abstract: The aim of this review of clinical decision making for caries management in children is to integrate current knowledge in the field of cariology into clinically usable concepts and procedures. Current evidence regarding the carious process and caries risk assessment allows the practitioner to go beyond traditional surgical management of dental caries. Therapy should focus on patient-specific approaches that include disease monitoring and preventive therapies supplemented when necessary by restorative care. The type and intensity of these therapies should be determined utilizing clinical data as well as knowledge of the caries process for that child. Changes in the management of dental caries will require health organizations and dental schools to educate students, practitioners, and patients in evidence- and risk-based care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, University of Maryland Dental School, Baltimore, USA. ntinanoff@dental.umaryland.edu
authors.forename: Norman
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tinanoff
authors.forename: Joanna M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Douglass
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003657:Decision Making; D019140:Dental Care for Children; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D003732:Dental Caries Activity Tests; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006287:Health Planning Guidelines; D006801:Humans; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists'; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012953:Societies, Dental
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants; D005459:Fluorides