Dental caries: selected factors of children at risk.

Abstract

This article reviews the dental caries risk factors of children by using an epidemiological model which has three interrelated factors--agent, host, and environment. Dental caries agent factors include microorganisms with cariogenic potential; host factors include gender, race, tooth arrangement, sugar consumption, knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors; environmental factors include type of community (rural vs. urban), socioeconomic status, use of dental services and fluoride. This article reviews these selected dental caries risk factors and describes how dental assistants can practically apply this information.