Preventing decay in children: dare we risk the 'risk assessment' model in practice?

ABSTRACT

Encouraging dental prevention seems like a logical approach given that dental decay is a preventable disease and while the 2006 dental contract provides preventive opportunities, there is confusion about the best approach to the prevention of decay in those children that attend their dentist. Should we provide prevention for all children attending their dentist (the population approach) or should we target those children who are at greatest risk (risk assessment approach)?