July 1st, 2009 by admin

Following history, clinical, and radiographic examination the dentist should
categorize the patient as:
•
caries inactive
—no active lesions or history of recent restorations
•
caries active
—active lesions and or an annual increment of two or more
new, progressing or filled lesions.
In the caries active patient it is sensible to try to list the factors that seem to
be responsible. Some of these may be amenable to change, e.g. improving
oral hygiene or diet. Others may be difficult to modify, e.g. an essential medi-
cation that also reduces salivary  ow. Some factors may seem impossible to
alter. Social factors such as poverty and education cannot be altered by the
dentist.