The FDI World Dental Federation has issued its Caries Prevention and Management Chairside Guide to advise clinicians on restorative interventions with their patients. Conceived as a visual support, it’s designed to offer easy to follow guidelines to reduce the impact of caries as early as possible by preventing further tooth destruction and reversing the caries process in favor of remineralization, empowering patients to improve and maintain their own oral health.
“We believe this chairside guide is an easy reference tool for practicing clinicians and facilitates their decision-making on treatment options,” said Sophie Dartevelle, a member of the Public Health Committee at FDI. “Dentists see numerous patients in one day all with their specific needs and anticipated outcomes. This guide is a reminder of the objective of patient care for caries, which has to be the least invasive and must necessarily involve the patient in the maintenance process.
The guide was drafted to provide greater understanding of lesion activity and guidance in determining caries risk according to varying risk factors throughout life. These factors, such as socioeconomic status, sugar consumption, and poor oral hygiene, are classified by 5 age groups: 3 covering children and adolescents, one for adults, and one for older adults. For each group, there is a caries risk assessment, recommendations for professional maintenance, and suggestions for patient education and maintenance.
“Caries is the most widespread chronic disease in the world, affecting people of all ages in their lifetime, yet it is a burden that is almost always preventable,” said Marsha Butler, DDS, vice president of global oral care at Colgate-Palmolive, which is supporting the group’s Caries Prevention Partnership for shifting approaches from restoration to prevention. “We are thrilled to continue supporting the Caries Prevention Partnership, now in its second year, as it is a great source of informative tools that contribute to the fight against oral disease.”
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