Clinical decision making for caries management in children.

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.