ICR: A Simplified Caries Risk Assessment Tool for Paediatric Patients

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ABSTRACT

Aim

In paediatric dentistry, it is essential to investigate the individual risk factors for caries development and to assign each patient a risk category for the onset of new lesions. This approach is crucial to planning personalised preventive and therapeutic strategies. This study aims to develop a simple and reproducible caries risk assessment index, designed for daily use by dental hygienists and assistants to support consistent monitoring of patients’ caries risk in clinical practice.

Material and methods

This cross-sectional observational study was conducted following a comprehensive literature review to identify evidence-based caries risk indicators. A simplified caries risk assessment tool was developed and structured into a colour-coded evaluation grid. The tool was tested in a paediatric clinical setting on 494 patients aged 0–16 years, of whom 417 met the inclusion criteria and were analysed. Each assessment was completed by a dentist, dental assistant or dental hygienist after standardised training. Descriptive statistics were applied to evaluate the distribution of risk scores and associated variables.

Results

Most patients were classified as having a moderate (65.95%) or low (19.42%) caries risk. A DMFT score of 0 was recorded in 37.88% of the sample. Dietary habits revealed frequent intake of sugar-rich foods and a meal frequency of 4 to 5 times per day. Toothbrushing twice a day, either independently or under supervision, was reported by 74.59% of participants, while 87.52% reported daily use of fluoride toothpaste.

Conclusion

The simplified tool demonstrated good applicability in routine paediatric care and enabled consistent identification of individual caries risk profiles. Its ease of use and visual scoring system make it suitable for implementation in daily practice, including by trained non-dental personnel, supporting preventive strategies and early intervention.

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