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Risk factors for dental caries in Latin American and Caribbean countries

Abstract

Identifying the risk factors for dental caries is vital in epidemiology and clinical practices for developing effective preventive strategies, both, at the individual and collective levels. Different causality/determination models have been proposed to understand the development process of dental caries. In the present review, we designed a model inspired by the world-known social determinants models proposed in the 90s and more recently in the 10s, wherein the contextual factors are placed more externally and encompass the individual factors. The contextual factors included those related to the cultural and societal values, as well as the social and health government policies. The individual factors were classified into the following categories: socioeconomic (social class, occupation, income, and education level), demographic characteristics (age, sex, and ethnicity), behavioral factors (non-use of fluoride dentifrice, sugar consumption, poor oral hygiene, and lack of preventive dental care), and biological factors (recent caries experience/active caries lesions, biofilm retentive factors, developmental defects of the enamel, disabilities, saliva amount and quality, cariogenic biofilm). Each of these variables was addressed, while focusing on the current evidence from studies conducted in Latin American and Caribbean countries (LACC). Based on the proposed model, educational aspects were addressed, and individual caries risk assessment and management decisions were proposed; further, implications for public health policies and clinical practice were described. The identification of modifiable risk factors for dental caries should be the basis for multi-strategy actions that consider the diversity of Latin American communities.

Dental Caries; Risk Factors; Socioeconomic Factors; Health Risk Behaviors; Biology

Introduction

A caries risk factor is defined as a factor/determinant, confirmed by temporal sequence and directly associated with an increased probability of caries.11. Machiulskiene V, Campus G, Carvalho JC, Dige I, Ekstrand KR, Jablonski-Momeni A, et al. Terminology of dental caries and dental caries management: Consensus Report of a Workshop Organized by ORCA and Cariology Research Group of IADR. Caries Res. 2020;54(1):7-14. https://doi.org/10.1159/000503309
https://doi.org/10.1159/000503309...
The identification of caries risk factors is important in epidemiology and clinical practice for the development of effective preventive strategies at both, the individual and collective levels.

The theoretical assumption of causality and determination is hereby exposed in a model that describes how risk factors interact to pose a greater risk for the occurrence of dental caries. Although most factors are well documented in the literature, only description and knowledge of their respective mechanisms of action is insufficient. It is important to discuss the complex interplay among these factors.

Different causality/determination models have been proposed to understand the developmental process of caries. Many of these arise from the authors’ theoretical elaborations, scientific literature,22. Fejerskov O, Nyvad B, Kidd EA. Chapter 2: Dental caries: what is it? In: Fejerskov O, Nyvad B, Kidd E, editors. Dental caries: the disease and its clinical management. 3rd ed. Oxford: Wiley Blackwell; 2015.

3. Opal S, Garg S, Jain J, Walia I. Genetic factors affecting dental caries risk. Aust Dent J. 2015 Mar;60(1):2-11. https://doi.org/10.1111/adj.12262
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4. Fernando S, Speicher DJ, Bakr MM, et al. Protocol for assessing maternal, environmental and epigenetic risk factors for dental caries in children. BMC Oral Health. 2015;15:167. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-015-0143-2
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-55. Silva AM, Gkolia P, Carpenter L, Cole D. Developing a model to assess community-level risk of oral diseases for planning public dental services in Australia. BMC Oral Health. 2016;16:45. Published 2016 Mar 31. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-016-0200-5
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or statistical and mathematical processes; with the latter, as recently proposed by Foley and Akers66. Foley M, Akers HF. Does poverty cause dental caries? Aust Dent J. 2019 Mar;64(1):96-102. https://doi.org/10.1111/adj.12666
https://doi.org/10.1111/adj.12666...
who used the causal model based on the Directed Acyclic Graphs that maps the association between variables, creating a causal network. Other models are based on the existing proposals, such as the well-known social determinants model by Dahlgren and Whitehead77. Dahlgren G, Whitehead M. Policies and strategies to promote social equity in health: background document to WHO - Strategy paper for Europe. Stockholm: Institute for Futures Studies; 1991. that employs concentric circles from the most proximal to the most distal factors. Several authors have adapted this model for oral health outcomes88. Tomar S. Social determinants of oral health and disease in U.S. men. J Men’s Health. 2012;9(2):113-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jomh.2012.03.001
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9. Fisher-Owens SA, Gansky SA, Platt LJ, Weintraub JA, Soobader MJ, Bramlett MD, et al. Influences on children’s oral health: a conceptual model. Pediatrics. 2007 Sep;120(3):e510-20. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2006-3084
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10. Smith L, Katz L, Emery H, Sieppert J, Polsky Z, Nagan K. It’s about More Than Just Baby Teeth: An Examination of Early Oral Care in Canada. Univers J Public Health. 2014;2(4):125-30. https://doi.org/10.13189/ujph.2014.020403
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-1111. Crall JJ, Forrest CB. A life course health development perspective on oral health. In: Halfon N, Forrest CB, Lerner RM, et al. Handbook of life course health development. Springer; 2018. by changing some variables while maintaining the idea of concentric circles.

In our study, we employed a modified model inspired by different approaches. One approach was the proposal developed by the World Health Organization (WHO)1212. World Health Organization. A conceptual framework for action on the social determinants of health. Geneva: WHO; 2010. to guide actions focused on the social determinants of health. The social determinants model77. Dahlgren G, Whitehead M. Policies and strategies to promote social equity in health: background document to WHO - Strategy paper for Europe. Stockholm: Institute for Futures Studies; 1991. was also incorporated, recognizing the presence of distal and proximal factors in the determination of dental caries. In this model, the contextual factors are placed more externally, although they encompass the individual factors, not constituting themselves in different dimensions or belonging to the same level of determination. The contextual factors include those related to the cultural and societal values, as well as the social and health policies of the government. The individual factors were classified into the following categories: socioeconomic, demographic, behavioral, and biological factors (Figure 1). Each of these groups was composed of different variables that are discussed later in this article.

Figure 1
Conceptual framework for the caries risk factors inspired by the WHO Framework12 and by Dahlgren and Whitehead.7

Considering the relevance of the consensus papers on caries that was very inclusive within the LACC, we developed the present critical narrative review. An electronic search of the dental literature was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, LILACS, and SciELO databases, with appropriate keywords and/or phrases; further, a manual search was conducted.

Contextual factors

How are contextual factors usually assessed?

The assessment of the contextual effect on health outcomes is generally performed based on ecological studies, wherein a correlation between the aggregated values at different population levels (cities, states, and countries, in most cases) is analyzed. Since the mid-90s, multilevel models have been used frequently. A limitation of these studies, particularly in the area of oral health, is the poor quality or lack of data on the main problems in oral health, such as dental caries, that are discussed in greater detail in papers 1 and 5 of this LAOHA caries consensus.1313. Paiva SM, Abreu-Placeres N, Camacho MEI, Frias AC, Tello G, Perazzo MF, et al. Dental caries experience and its impact on oral health-related quality of life in Latin American and Caribbean countries. Braz Oral Res. 2021;35(suppl 1):e052. https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-3107bor-2021.vol35.0052
https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-3107bor-202...
,1414. Sampaio FC, Bönecker M, Paiva SM, Martignon S, Ricomini Filho AP, Pozos-Guillen A, et al. Dental caries prevalence, prospects, and challenges for Latin America and Caribbean countries: a summary and final recommendations from a Regional Consensus. Braz Oral Res. 2021;35(suppl 1):e056. https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-3107bor-2021.vol35.0056
https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-3107bor-202...
The main repository of WHO-sponsored oral health data, the Oral Health Country/Area Profile Project (see at https://capp.mau.se/) maintained by Malmö University presents data from virtually every country in the world. However, these data are quite outdated and have poor accuracy. For some LACC, the most recent information available is > 20 y old, and very few population-based studies are representative of the entire country. However, in spite of these restrictions, the information can be used to assess the global profile of dental caries and the effect of contextual factors.

Databases are more reliable and provide more comprehensive information on socioeconomic variables. Worldwide, numerous researchers have tried to identify the relationship between health and socioeconomic indicators from these databases. In the field of oral health, most of them are based on the comparison of Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT/dmft) index in different categories of socioeconomic indicators.

Dental caries and contextual factors in LACC

To understand the specificity of the relationship between dental caries and some contextual factors in the 33 countries included in the LACC, we performed an analysis with the data available from the cited sources. Data related to some socioeconomic indicators were gathered from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) (http://www.hdr.undp.org/en/data) and the World Bank (https://data.worldbank.org/). DMFT data collected 12 y previously were obtained from the aforementioned Oral Health Country/Area Profile Project (https://capp.mau.se/). When possible, the database was updated based on a literature search. The reference years in the DMFT database ranged from 1995 to 2014; therefore, we used the socioeconomic data of a year as close as possible. Countries for which data were unavailable for both the variables were excluded from the analysis.

Figure 2 shows the correlation between the DMFT at the age of 12 y and the Human Development Index (HDI), with a weak negative correlation being observed between them; however, the small number of observations rendered no statistical significance and only indicated plausibility.

Figure 2
Correlation between DMFT in 12-year-old children and the Human Development Index (HDI) in LACC. Material created by the authors.

A similar trend was observed with the Gini index (Figure 3), albeit with a positive relationship; higher the index, greater the degree of inequality. Countries with lower inequality, such as Uruguay, Jamaica, and Venezuela, and those with greater inequality, such as Ecuador and Guatemala, had lower and higher DMFT values, respectively. This analysis had some limitations, mainly regarding the low extent of the updated data; however, it is important to highlight that this profile was similar to other countries that used more recent information.

Figure 3
Correlation between DMFT in 12 years old children and Gini Index in LACC. Material created by the authors.

As discussed by Roncalli et al.,1515. Roncalli AG, Sheiham A, Tsakos G, Araújo-Souza GC, Watt RG. Social Factors Associated with the Decline in Caries in Brazilian Children between 1996 and 2010. Caries Res. 2016;50(6):551-9. https://doi.org/10.1159/000442899
https://doi.org/10.1159/000442899...
an association of HDI with DMFT has been observed in Brazil and other countries. Studies using local data, such as the study conducted in Brazil, found a correlation between HDI and oral health outcomes.1616. Moysés SJ. Desigualdades em saúde bucal e desenvolvimento humano: um ensaio em preto, branco e alguns tons de cinza. Rev Bras Odont Saúde Coletiva. 2000;1:7-17.

17. Antunes JL, Peres MA, Mello TRC, Waldman EA. Multilevel assessment of determinants of dental caries experience in Brazil. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2006 Apr;34(2):146-52. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0528.2006.00274.x
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18. Gabardo MC, Silva WJ, Moysés ST, Moysés SJ. Water fluoridation as a marker for sociodental inequalities. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2008 Apr;36(2):103-7. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0528.2007.00381.x
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19. Peres MA, Peres KG, Antunes JL, Junqueira SR, Frazão P, Narvai PC. The association between socioeconomic development at the town level and the distribution of dental caries in Brazilian children. Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2003 Sep;14(3):149-57. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1020-49892003000800001
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1020-4989200300...

20. Peres MA, Peres KG, Frias AC, Antunes JL. Contextual and individual assessment of dental pain period prevalence in adolescents: a multilevel approach. BMC Oral Health. 2010;10:20. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6831-10-20
https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6831-10-20...

21. Roncalli AG, Tsakos G, Sheiham A, de Souza GC, Watt RG. Social determinants of dental treatment needs in Brazilian adults. BMC Public Health. 2014;14:1097. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-1097
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-109...

22. Pinto RS, Roncalli AG, Abreu MH, Vargas AM. Use of public oral health services by the adult population: a multilevel analysis. PLoS One. 2016;11(1):e0145149. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0145149
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.014...

23. Pessoa DMV, Roncalli AG, Lima KC. Economic and sociodemographic inequalities in complete denture need among older Brazilian adults: a cross-sectional population-based study. BMC Oral Health. 2017;17(1):5. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-016-0233-9
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24. Silva JVD, Oliveira AGRDC. Individual and contextual factors associated to the self-perception of oral health in Brazilian adults. Rev Saude Publica. 2018;52:29. https://doi.org/10.11606/S1518-8787.2018052000361
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-2525. Brito AC, Bezerra IM, Cavalcante DF, Pereira AC, Vieira V, Montezuma MF, et al. Dental caries experience and associated factors in 12-year-old-children: a population based-study. Braz Oral Res. 2020;34:e010. https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-3107bor-2020.vol34.0010
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Trials performed in Colombia, Ardila, and Agudelo-Suárez2626. Ardila CM, Agudelo-Suárez AA. Association between dental pain and caries: a multilevel analysis to evaluate the influence of contextual and individual factors in 34 843 adults. J Investig Clin Dent. 2016 Nov;7(4):410-6. https://doi.org/10.1111/jicd.12168
https://doi.org/10.1111/jicd.12168...
showed an association between low HDI and dental pain using a multilevel approach.

The HDI and the Gini index constitute two important aspects of contextual factors because they both represent both a positive characteristic relative to human development index (HDI) and a negative one relative to income inequality, as can be seen in the related Figures 2 and 3 description. This is particularly important because greater indicators of longevity, income, and education are not always associated with greater income distribution; thus, from the viewpoint of the social determination of the disease, these factors have quite different roles.

Bernabé and Hobdell2727. Bernabé E, Hobdell MH. Is income inequality related to childhood dental caries in rich countries? J Am Dent Assoc. 2010 Feb;141(2):143-9. https://doi.org/10.14219/jada.archive.2010.0131
https://doi.org/10.14219/jada.archive.20...
analyzed data from 48 countries and showed an association between the Gini index and dmft values from 5–6 y previously. Only the 22 wealthiest countries were included; therefore, the Gini index presented a significant association, unlike the Gross National Income that showed no association. A significant association between HDI and Gini index was found with a reduction in the incidence of dental caries in Brazilian children when the associated social factors were analyzed.1515. Roncalli AG, Sheiham A, Tsakos G, Araújo-Souza GC, Watt RG. Social Factors Associated with the Decline in Caries in Brazilian Children between 1996 and 2010. Caries Res. 2016;50(6):551-9. https://doi.org/10.1159/000442899
https://doi.org/10.1159/000442899...

Another important aspect of contextual factors is the effect of public health and well-being policies. Such analyses are complex, owing to the difficulty of measuring the offered health services. Most studies have analyzed access to health services from an individual perspective, and in general, based on the use of these services.2222. Pinto RS, Roncalli AG, Abreu MH, Vargas AM. Use of public oral health services by the adult population: a multilevel analysis. PLoS One. 2016;11(1):e0145149. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0145149
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.014...
Guarnizo-Herreño et al.2828. Guarnizo-Herreño CC, Watt RG, Pikhart H, Sheiham A, Tsakos G. Socioeconomic inequalities in oral health in different European welfare state regimes. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2013 Sep;67(9):728-35. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2013-202714
https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2013-202714...
reported the existence of oral health inequalities in adults in all European welfare-state regimes; further, they observed that particular behaviors played a heterogeneous role in explaining these inequalities across the evaluated welfare regimes.2929. Guarnizo-Herreño CC, Watt RG, Garzón-Orjuela N, Tsakos G. Explaining oral health inequalities in European welfare state regimes: the role of health behaviours. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2019 Feb;47(1):40-8. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdoe.12420
https://doi.org/10.1111/cdoe.12420...

One way of assessing the effect of health policies is to estimate the extent to which countries prioritize health in their public -funding models. Relationships with the workforce, such as the inhabitant/dentist relationship or oral health services coverage is relatively common.1515. Roncalli AG, Sheiham A, Tsakos G, Araújo-Souza GC, Watt RG. Social Factors Associated with the Decline in Caries in Brazilian Children between 1996 and 2010. Caries Res. 2016;50(6):551-9. https://doi.org/10.1159/000442899
https://doi.org/10.1159/000442899...
,1919. Peres MA, Peres KG, Antunes JL, Junqueira SR, Frazão P, Narvai PC. The association between socioeconomic development at the town level and the distribution of dental caries in Brazilian children. Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2003 Sep;14(3):149-57. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1020-49892003000800001
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1020-4989200300...
,2121. Roncalli AG, Tsakos G, Sheiham A, de Souza GC, Watt RG. Social determinants of dental treatment needs in Brazilian adults. BMC Public Health. 2014;14:1097. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-1097
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-109...
,3030. Drugan CS, Downer MC. [Dental health in the United Kingdom and influencing variables]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz. 2011 Sep;54(9):1027-34. German. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00103-011-1333-y
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31. Nadanovsky P, Sheiham A. Relative contribution of dental services to the changes in caries levels of 12-year-old children in 18 industrialized countries in the 1970s and early 1980s. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 1995 Dec;23(6):331-9. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0528.1995.tb00258.x
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32. Diehnelt DE, Kiyak HA. Socioeconomic factors that affect international caries levels. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2001 Jun;29(3):226-33. https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0528.2001.290309.x
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-3333. Antunes JL, Narvai PC, Nugent ZJ. Measuring inequalities in the distribution of dental caries. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2004 Feb;32(1):41-8. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0528.2004.00125.x
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Most of these studies employ the ecological approach that has intrinsic biases that may interfere with the observation of a genuine effect. One of these biases is attributable to the exposure and outcome being observed at the same time. A given public policy takes a certain amount of time to produce measurable effects, and the best designs to assess them are longitudinal ones or those based on panel data analysis. In any case, ecological studies that aim to evaluate the correlation between the provision of health services and a specific characteristic of the health system, such as financing, are useful because they help generate hypotheses. Figure 4 shows the correlation between these variables. Countries with low investment in health, such as Bolivia, Dominican Republic, and Guatemala, have higher DMFT values. In contrast, countries, such as Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, and Uruguay, that have a higher percentage of investment, have lower DMFT values.

Figure 4
Correlation between DMFT in 12 years old children and current health expenditure (% GDP) in LACC. Material created by the authors.

A relevant aspect in this context is the presence of community fluoridation programs. Among these, water fluoridation is the most commonly employed program across the world3434. Ran T, Chattopadhyay SK. Economic evaluation of community water fluoridation: a community guide systematic review. Am J Prev Med. 2016 Jun;50(6):790-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2015.10.014
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2015.10...
and is considered the most effective and socially equitable means of achieving community-wide fluoride protection against dental caries.3535. Yeung CA. A systematic review of the efficacy and safety of fluoridation. Evid Based Dent. 2008;9(2):39-43. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ebd.6400578
https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ebd.6400578...
The recommended fluoride water concentration ranges from 0.6 to 1.1 mg/ L,3636. Iheozor-Ejiofor Z, Worthington HV, Walsh T, O’Malley L, Clarkson JE, Macey R, et al. Water fluoridation for the prevention of dental caries. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2015(6):CD010856. Published 2015 Jun 18. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD010856.pub2
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD01085...
depending on the climate, to achieve a balance between the potential for dental caries reduction and development of dental fluorosis.3535. Yeung CA. A systematic review of the efficacy and safety of fluoridation. Evid Based Dent. 2008;9(2):39-43. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ebd.6400578
https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ebd.6400578...
Water fluoridation programs have an estimated cost of US$ 0.11–4.92/year/capita,3434. Ran T, Chattopadhyay SK. Economic evaluation of community water fluoridation: a community guide systematic review. Am J Prev Med. 2016 Jun;50(6):790-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2015.10.014
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2015.10...
and these measures are backed by strong evidence that has demonstrated a reduction in the caries prevalence by 26%–35%.3535. Yeung CA. A systematic review of the efficacy and safety of fluoridation. Evid Based Dent. 2008;9(2):39-43. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ebd.6400578
https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ebd.6400578...
-3636. Iheozor-Ejiofor Z, Worthington HV, Walsh T, O’Malley L, Clarkson JE, Macey R, et al. Water fluoridation for the prevention of dental caries. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2015(6):CD010856. Published 2015 Jun 18. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD010856.pub2
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD01085...
In contrast, the estimated cost of salt fluoridation is US$ 0.02–0.05/year/capita.3737. Marthaler TM. Salt fluoridation and oral health. Acta Med Acad. 2013 Nov;42(2):140-55. https://doi.org/10.5644/ama2006-124.82
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The meta-analysis by Yengopal et al. favors it but it states that related available studies are graded as poor-quality.3838. Yengopal V, Chikte UM, Mickenautsch S, Oliveira LB, Bhayat A. Salt fluoridation: a meta-analysis of its efficacy for caries prevention. SADJ. 2010 Mar;65(2):60-4, 66-7. A systematic review3535. Yeung CA. A systematic review of the efficacy and safety of fluoridation. Evid Based Dent. 2008;9(2):39-43. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ebd.6400578
https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ebd.6400578...
suggested that milk fluoridation was beneficial in preventing/reducing caries; however, the quality of evidence was also inferior to that for water fluoridation. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in 1994 launched a multi-year plan to support water and salt fluoridation programs in Central America, South America, and Caribbean countries. It aimed to include more than 400 million people for both the programs by 2010.3939. Estupinan-Day S. Promoting oral health. The use of salt fluoridation to prevent dental caries. Washington, DC: Pan American Health Organization; 2005. A table describing the type of community fluoridation and the relevant details in LACC can be found in the “Community interventions and strategies” paper of this LAOHA caries consensus document.4040. Ricomini Filho AP, Chávez BA, Giacaman RA, Frazão P, Cury JA. Community interventions and strategies for caries control in Latin American and Caribbean countries. Braz Oral Res. 2021;35(suppl 1):e054. https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-3107bor-2021.vol35.054
https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-3107bor-202...

The variable availability of fluoridated toothpaste across countries represents an additional contextual risk factor in Latin America, exposing a large part of the population to an increased risk of dental caries. The legislations of most countries do not ensure that toothpastes have a minimum soluble fluoride concentration so that they exert an anti-caries effect (1,000 ppm of soluble fluoride) mostly because they prioritize the safety of fluoride toothpastes over their anti-caries potential.4141. Cury JA, Caldarelli PG, Tenuta LM. Necessity to review the Brazilian regulation about fluoride toothpastes. Rev Saude Publica. 2015;49(0):74. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-8910.2015049005768
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-8910.20150...

Contextual factors are not risk factors per se. They work as modulating elements that must be interpreted as the causes of the causes.4242. Watt RG, Sheiham A. Integrating the common risk factor approach into a social determinants framework. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2012 Aug;40(4):289-96. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0528.2012.00680.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0528.2012...
In other words, there is no direct way to transport the contextual effects to the individual level. This statement has important implications in the field of dental practice. While it is essential to determine the individual risk factors to guide appropriate interventions, we wish to emphasize that how individuals react to preventive and therapeutic measures depends on the context in which they live. Such reductionism enables an etiological understanding of how ecological exposures affect health; however, it may be counterproductive. In the realm of public health policy and action, contextual factors may serve as the most practical points of intervention in the chain of events.4343. Helman C. Culture, health, and illness: An introduction for health professionals. Bristol: Wright; 1984.,4444. Blakely TA, Woodward AJ. Ecological effects in multi-level studies. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2000 May;54(5):367-74. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech.54.5.367
https://doi.org/10.1136/jech.54.5.367...

Individual factors

Socioeconomic and demographic factors

This group of caries risk factors comprises social class, occupation, education level, income, sex, age, and ethnicity.

Social class is defined by ownership; it explains how economic inequalities are generated, and how they can influence health.4545. Krieger N. A glossary for social epidemiology. Epidemiol Bull. 2002 Mar;23(1):7-11. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech.55.10.693
https://doi.org/10.1136/jech.55.10.693...
There is a strong association of social and economic conditions with the occurrence of dental caries, indicating that individuals living in low socioeconomic conditions have greater exposure to risk factors that could influence their burden of dental caries.4646. Schwendicke F, Dörfer CE, Schlattmann P, Foster Page L, Thomson WM, Paris S. Socioeconomic inequality and caries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Dent Res. 2015 Jan;94(1):10-8. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034514557546
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,4747. Peres KG, Thomson WM, Chaffee BW, Peres MA, Birungi N, Do LG, et al. Oral Health Birth Cohort Studies: Achievements, Challenges, and Potential [published online ahead of print, 2020 Jul 17]. J Dent Res. 2020 Nov;99(12):1321-31. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034520942208
https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034520942208...
A Colombian study demonstrating oral-health inequalities in early childhood found significant associations of caries experience, age, and caregivers’ lower educational level.4848. Martignon S, Usuga-Vacca M, Cortés F, Cortes A, Gamboa LF, Jacome-Lievano S, et al. Risk factors for early childhood caries experience expressed by ICDAS criteria in Anapoima, Colombia: a cross-sectional study. Acta Odontol Latinoam. 2018 Jun;31(1):58-66.

Occupation is an indicator of the socioeconomic position, determining the individual’s place in the societal hierarchy and commonly includes parental occupation as an indicator of a child’s socioeconomic position. However, the occupational indicator cannot be assigned to unemployed people; this could underestimate the socioeconomic differences.4545. Krieger N. A glossary for social epidemiology. Epidemiol Bull. 2002 Mar;23(1):7-11. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech.55.10.693
https://doi.org/10.1136/jech.55.10.693...

Education level is an indicator of the parents’ socioeconomic position, determines family income, and is associated with oral health outcomes. Moreover, education provides skills and knowledge that could enable communication; therefore, people become more receptive to oral health information.4949. Solar O, Irwin A. A conceptual framework for action on the social determinants of health. Social Determinants of Health Discussion Paper 2: debates, policy & practice, case studies. Geneva: WHO, 2010. A systematic review showed that lower parental education was associated with a higher risk of dental caries.5050. Hooley M, Skouteris H, Boganin C, Satur J, Kilpatrick N. Parental influence and the development of dental caries in children aged 0-6 years: a systematic review of the literature. J Dent. 2012 Nov;40(11):873-85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2012.07.013
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2012.07....
In a similar manner, lower maternal educational level was associated with lesser use of dental services, and these children of such mothers with scarce oral health knowledge could have poorer oral health.5151. Boing AF, Bastos JL, Peres KG, Antunes JL, Peres MA. Social determinants of health and dental caries in Brazil: a systematic review of the literature between 1999 and 2010. Rev Bras Epidemiol. 2014;17 Suppl 2:102-15. https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-4503201400060009
https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-45032014000...
Oral health literacy has been so far considered in a systematic review as a mediator more than a direct factor for oral conditions, including dental caries.5252. Firmino RT, Ferreira FM, Paiva SM, Granville-Garcia AF, Fraiz FC, Martins CC. Oral health literacy and associated oral conditions: A systematic review. J Am Dent Assoc. 2017 Aug;148(8):604-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adaj.2017.04.012
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adaj.2017.04.0...

In addition, income is an indicator of the socioeconomic condition. Family income can be a useful indicator because family expenses are commonly shared by household members.4545. Krieger N. A glossary for social epidemiology. Epidemiol Bull. 2002 Mar;23(1):7-11. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech.55.10.693
https://doi.org/10.1136/jech.55.10.693...
A higher risk of carious lesions has been associated with lower socioeconomic level.4646. Schwendicke F, Dörfer CE, Schlattmann P, Foster Page L, Thomson WM, Paris S. Socioeconomic inequality and caries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Dent Res. 2015 Jan;94(1):10-8. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034514557546
https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034514557546...
In a similar manner, low -income families usually have a diet rich in sugars and fats that in turn led to a higher caries incidence in their children. Family income controls the access to education and oral health services. Therefore, low economic level is associated with scarce preventive care and lowered the prevalence of dental visits.4646. Schwendicke F, Dörfer CE, Schlattmann P, Foster Page L, Thomson WM, Paris S. Socioeconomic inequality and caries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Dent Res. 2015 Jan;94(1):10-8. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034514557546
https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034514557546...

Sex-based differences have been reported in epidemiological studies with a significant higher prevalence of dental caries in girls than in boys; further, more women use dental health care services.5353. Shaffer JR, Leslie EJ, Feingold E, Govil M, McNeil DW, Crout RJ, et al. Caries Experience Differs between Females and Males across Age Groups in Northern Appalachia. Int J Dent. 2015;2015:938213. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/938213
https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/938213...
,5454. Ferraro M, Vieira AR. Explaining gender differences in caries: a multifactorial approach to a multifactorial disease. Int J Dent. 2010;2010:649643. https://doi.org/10.1155/2010/649643 PMID:20339488
https://doi.org/10.1155/2010/649643...
A systematic review showed a higher rate of dental caries in Brazilian women.5151. Boing AF, Bastos JL, Peres KG, Antunes JL, Peres MA. Social determinants of health and dental caries in Brazil: a systematic review of the literature between 1999 and 2010. Rev Bras Epidemiol. 2014;17 Suppl 2:102-15. https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-4503201400060009
https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-45032014000...
Social and cultural differences between men and women could influence their oral health conditions in different manners.5555. Martinez-Mier EA, Zandona AF. The impact of gender on caries prevalence and risk assessment. Dent Clin North Am. 2013 Apr;57(2):301-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cden.2013.01.001
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cden.2013.01.0...

Race/ethnicity refers to social groups that share ancestry and cultural heritage. It is frequently used for identifying unequal distribution of disease burden, indicating a higher prevalence of dental caries in immigrants or ethnic minorities.5656. Tas JT, Kragt L, Veerkamp JJ, Jaddoe VW, Moll HA, Ongkosuwito EM, et al. Ethnic disparities in dental caries among six-year-old children in the Netherlands. Caries Res. 2016;50(5):489-97. https://doi.org/10.1159/000448663
https://doi.org/10.1159/000448663...
Researchers are advised to avoid using race unless the observed differences regarding dental caries cannot be explained by genetics, and the possibility of inadvertently exhibiting racism (individual and structural) should be considered. However, race is not a proxy for racism, but an explanation that should be better studied.5757. Kaplan JB, Bennett T. Use of race and ethnicity in biomedical publication. JAMA. 2003 May;289(20):2709-16. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.289.20.2709
https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.289.20.2709...
However, socioeconomic conditions play an essential role in the association between health and race/ethnicity because oral health problems particularly affect underprivileged people.4545. Krieger N. A glossary for social epidemiology. Epidemiol Bull. 2002 Mar;23(1):7-11. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech.55.10.693
https://doi.org/10.1136/jech.55.10.693...

Epidemiological surveys have demonstrated an increased prevalence of caries with age, secondary to the cumulative and chronic nature of dental caries. Considerable caries related problems can occur in adults,5858. Bernabé E, Sheiham A. Age, period and cohort trends in caries of permanent teeth in four developed countries. Am J Public Health. 2014 Jul;104(7):e115-21. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2014.301869
https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2014.301869...
and older children can have more advance -staged carious lesions than younger children.

Socioeconomic and demographic factors in LACC

In a systematic review,5151. Boing AF, Bastos JL, Peres KG, Antunes JL, Peres MA. Social determinants of health and dental caries in Brazil: a systematic review of the literature between 1999 and 2010. Rev Bras Epidemiol. 2014;17 Suppl 2:102-15. https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-4503201400060009
https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-45032014000...
a recent Brazilian population-based study showed that non-white ethnic groups had a higher prevalence of caries in children.2626. Ardila CM, Agudelo-Suárez AA. Association between dental pain and caries: a multilevel analysis to evaluate the influence of contextual and individual factors in 34 843 adults. J Investig Clin Dent. 2016 Nov;7(4):410-6. https://doi.org/10.1111/jicd.12168
https://doi.org/10.1111/jicd.12168...
Several studies conducted in Latin American indigenous people have shown a rise in the caries prevalence and severity,4545. Krieger N. A glossary for social epidemiology. Epidemiol Bull. 2002 Mar;23(1):7-11. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech.55.10.693
https://doi.org/10.1136/jech.55.10.693...
with a systematic review concluding that sex-based differences and increasing age were associated with a higher caries experience in Guarani and Xavanti groups in Brazil.5959. Soares GH, Pereira NF, Biazevic MG, Braga MM, Michel-Crosato E. Dental caries in South American Indigenous peoples: a systematic review. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2019 Apr;47(2):142-52. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdoe.12436
https://doi.org/10.1111/cdoe.12436...
With respect to the parents’ low educational level, an association was found with higher caries prevalence in cross-sectional studies conducted in Colombia,6060. Díaz-Cárdenas S, González-Martínez F. [The prevalence of dental caries related to family factors in schoolchildren from the city of Cartagena in Colombia]. Rev Salud Publica (Bogota). 2010 Oct;12(5):843-51. Spanish. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0124-00642010000500014
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0124-0064201000...
Mexico,6161. Guizar-Mendoza JM, López-Ayuso CA, Amado-Licona N, Lozano-Palomino O, García-Gutiérrez CA. [Determinants of oral health care related to the frequency and severity of dental caries in preschool children]. Nova Sci. 2019;11(22):85-101. Spanish. https://doi.org/10.21640/ns.v11i22.1708
https://doi.org/10.21640/ns.v11i22.1708...
and Chile.6262. Echeverria-López S, Henríquez-D’Aquino E, Werlinger-Cruces F, Villarroel-Díaz T, Lanas-Soza M. [Determinants of early childhood caries in children at social risk]. Int J Interdiscip Dent. 2020;13(1):26-9. Spanish. https://doi.org/10.4067/S2452-55882020000100026
https://doi.org/10.4067/S2452-5588202000...
Further, low socioeconomic status was associated with a higher prevalence of dental caries.5151. Boing AF, Bastos JL, Peres KG, Antunes JL, Peres MA. Social determinants of health and dental caries in Brazil: a systematic review of the literature between 1999 and 2010. Rev Bras Epidemiol. 2014;17 Suppl 2:102-15. https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-4503201400060009
https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-45032014000...
,6363. Casanova-Rosado AJ, Medina-Solís CE, Casanova-Rosado JF, Vallejos-Sánchez AA, Maupomé G, Avila-Burgos L. Dental caries and associated factors in Mexican schoolchildren aged 6-13 years. Acta Odontol Scand. 2005 Aug;63(4):245-51. https://doi.org/10.1080/00016350510019865
https://doi.org/10.1080/0001635051001986...
A national-level study done in Colombia that looked at the association of different socioeconomic-position dimensions and oral health found that those who lacked national-health insurance and those with lower education levels showed the highest oral health problems.6464. Guarnizo-Herreño CC, Watt RG, Garzón-Orjuela N, Suárez-Zúñiga E, Tsakos G. Health insurance and education: major contributors to oral health inequalities in Colombia. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2019 Aug;73(8):737-44. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2018-212049
https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2018-212049...

Cross-sectional studies conducted in Chile in 2–4-year-old and 4-year-old children,6565. Zaror-Sánchez C, Pineda-Toledo P, Orellana-Cáceres JJ. [Prevalence of early childhood caries and associated factors in 2 and 4 year-old chilean children]. Int J Odontostomatol. 2011;5(2):171-7. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-381X2011000200010
https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-381X201100...
as well as in Colombia in 8–71-month-old children,4646. Schwendicke F, Dörfer CE, Schlattmann P, Foster Page L, Thomson WM, Paris S. Socioeconomic inequality and caries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Dent Res. 2015 Jan;94(1):10-8. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034514557546
https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034514557546...
and in Mexico in 3–6-year-old children6161. Guizar-Mendoza JM, López-Ayuso CA, Amado-Licona N, Lozano-Palomino O, García-Gutiérrez CA. [Determinants of oral health care related to the frequency and severity of dental caries in preschool children]. Nova Sci. 2019;11(22):85-101. Spanish. https://doi.org/10.21640/ns.v11i22.1708
https://doi.org/10.21640/ns.v11i22.1708...
showed that older age was associated with an increased relevance and severity of caries.

Table 1 shows some studies with respect to the socioeconomic and demographic risk factors and caries in Latin America.

Table 1
Investigations regarding socioeconomic and demographic risk factors of dental caries in LACC according to age group.

Behavioral risk factors

Behavioral risk factors include dietary practices, mainly high intake of free sugars, lack of oral hygiene, inadequate exposure to fluoride with emphasis on non-use of fluoride toothpaste, and irregular preventive dental care.

Dietary practices

The consumption of free sugars (i.e., sugars added to food and beverages and sugars naturally present in honey, syrups, fruit juices, and fruit juice concentrates) is the key factor that governs the occurrence of caries and modulates other factors, such as the dental biofilm.7373. Moynihan PJ, Kelly SA. Effect on caries of restricting sugars intake: systematic review to inform WHO guidelines. J Dent Res. 2014 Jan;93(1):8-18. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034513508954
https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034513508954...
,7474. Peres MA, Sheiham A, Liu P, Demarco FF, Silva AE, Assunção MC, et al. Sugar consumption and changes in dental caries from childhood to adolescence. J Dent Res. 2016 Apr;95(4):388-94. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034515625907
https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034515625907...
There is evidence that the following two characteristics enhance the role of dietary practices in the trajectory of caries incidence: the age at which sugar is introduced and the frequency of sugar consumption. Cohort studies have shown an association between sugar consumption in the first year of life and the occurrence of dental caries in subsequent years.7575. Chaffee BW, Feldens CA, Rodrigues PH, Vítolo MR. Feeding practices in infancy associated with caries incidence in early childhood. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2015 Aug;43(4):338-48. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdoe.12158
https://doi.org/10.1111/cdoe.12158...
The early introduction of sucrose in the life of an infant promotes the establishment of a cariogenic microbiota and successive colonization of new dental surfaces. Moreover, early exposure to sugar boosts a child’s preference for sweets, resulting in higher consumption of sugar in foods and beverages.7676. Ventura AK, Worobey J. Early influences on the development of food preferences. Curr Biol. 2013 May;23(9):R401-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2013.02.037
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2013.02.03...

Investigations involving different populations have shown the role of high frequency of sugar intake in the occurrence of caries.6666. Feldens CA, Giugliani ER, Vigo Á, Vítolo MR. Early feeding practices and severe early childhood caries in four-year-old children from southern Brazil: a birth cohort study. Caries Res. 2010;44(5):445-52. https://doi.org/10.1159/000319898
https://doi.org/10.1159/000319898...
,7474. Peres MA, Sheiham A, Liu P, Demarco FF, Silva AE, Assunção MC, et al. Sugar consumption and changes in dental caries from childhood to adolescence. J Dent Res. 2016 Apr;95(4):388-94. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034515625907
https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034515625907...
,7777. Ribeiro CC, Silva MC, Nunes AM, Thomaz EB, Carmo CD, Ribeiro MR, et al. Overweight, obese, underweight, and frequency of sugar consumption as risk indicators for early childhood caries in Brazilian preschool children. Int J Paediatr Dent. 2017 Nov;27(6):532-9. https://doi.org/10.1111/ipd.12292
https://doi.org/10.1111/ipd.12292...
,7878. Feldens CA, Rodrigues PH, Anastácio G, Vítolo MR, Chaffee BW. Feeding frequency in infancy and dental caries in childhood: a prospective cohort study. Int Dent J. 2018 Apr;68(2):113-21. https://doi.org/10.1111/idj.12333
https://doi.org/10.1111/idj.12333...
There is a dose-dependent response between the ingestion of carbohydrates and dental caries in children and adults; with a greater intake of carbohydrates, especially sugar, increasing the risk of caries. This association is established by the repeated production of acids and the maintenance of a very low pH in the dental biofilm; this is observed in children with high food intake, impeding the physiological replacement of minerals in the de-mineralization/ re-mineralization cycle.

Some studies have examined the effect of two specific dietary practices on the occurrence of caries in children. Breastfeeding lowers child morbidity and mortality and appears to exert a protective effect against the occurrence of caries in the first year of life. However, birth cohort studies controlling for sugar intake have shown a greater risk of caries in infants who breastfeed for > 2 months of life and with a high frequency7979. Peres KG, Chaffee BW, Feldens CA, Flores-Mir C, Moynihan P, Rugg-Gunn A. Breastfeeding and Oral Health: Evidence and Methodological Challenges. J Dent Res. 2018 Mar;97(3):251-8. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034517738925
https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034517738925...
of daily sugars’ intake.7979. Peres KG, Chaffee BW, Feldens CA, Flores-Mir C, Moynihan P, Rugg-Gunn A. Breastfeeding and Oral Health: Evidence and Methodological Challenges. J Dent Res. 2018 Mar;97(3):251-8. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034517738925
https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034517738925...
Moreover, studies have shown that the use of bottles, especially for sugary beverages at night, was associated with dental caries.6666. Feldens CA, Giugliani ER, Vigo Á, Vítolo MR. Early feeding practices and severe early childhood caries in four-year-old children from southern Brazil: a birth cohort study. Caries Res. 2010;44(5):445-52. https://doi.org/10.1159/000319898
https://doi.org/10.1159/000319898...
Increased risk of caries is related to the sugar content (generally sugar-sweetened beverages) and its accumulation on the biofilm on central incisors that are the most affected teeth in younger children. The cariogenicity of both practices is dependent on the frequency of added sugar consumption. Such sugar is usually offered as a pacifier, mainly at night, when the salivary flow is lower.

In children and adolescents, greater consumption of added sugar increases the risk and occurrence of caries.7474. Peres MA, Sheiham A, Liu P, Demarco FF, Silva AE, Assunção MC, et al. Sugar consumption and changes in dental caries from childhood to adolescence. J Dent Res. 2016 Apr;95(4):388-94. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034515625907
https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034515625907...
The risk of caries is lower when the daily consumption of free sugars is reduced to < 10% of the total energy. Moderate evidence shows that the amount and frequency of sugar intake are correlated: children and adolescents who eat sugar frequently tend to consume a large amount of sugar.8080. Santos AP, Oliveira BH, Nadanovsky P. A systematic review of the effects of supervised toothbrushing on caries incidence in children and adolescents. Int J Paediatr Dent. 2018 Jan;28(1):3-11. https://doi.org/10.1111/ipd.12334
https://doi.org/10.1111/ipd.12334...

Oral hygiene and fluoride toothpaste

Oral hygiene measures aim to remove the dental biofilm, the metabolic activity of which can result in the loss of minerals. Therefore, an increase in the risk of caries in children who do not practice tooth brushing is plausible. However, the quality of the disturbance of the biofilm seems relevant, although a recent systematic review does not show any conclusive evidence on the effectiveness of supervised tooth brushing on caries incidence.8181. Kleemola-Kujala E, Räsänen L. Relationship of oral hygiene and sugar consumption to risk of caries in children. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 1982 Oct;10(5):224-33. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0528.1982.tb00384.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0528.1982...
Biofilm removal could interact with the diet, as shown in an epidemiological study in children where a higher caries risk was associated with increasing levels of biofilm at all levels of sugar intake, suggesting a synergistic interaction between these two behavioral factors.8282. Pessan JP, Silva SM, Lauris JR, Sampaio FC, Whitford GM, Buzalaf MA. Fluoride uptake by plaque from water and from dentifrice. J Dent Res. 2008 May;87(5):461-5. https://doi.org/10.1177/154405910808700501
https://doi.org/10.1177/1544059108087005...
Furthermore, most people do not remove dental biofilm completely during tooth brushing. Thus, the amount of fluoride retained in the biofilm during tooth brushing play is involved in caries control.8383. Cury JA, Tenuta LM. Evidence-based recommendation on toothpaste use. Braz Oral Res. 2014;28(Spec No):1-7. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1806-83242014.50000001
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1806-83242014.5...

Brushing is a simple and cost-effective way of constantly supplying fluoride to the oral cavity.8484. Pessan JP, Alves KMP, Italiani FM, Ramires I, Lauris JR, Whitford GM, et al. Distribution of fluoride and calcium in plaque biofilms after the use of conventional and low-fluoride dentifrices. Int J Paediatr Dent. 2014 Jul;24(4):293-302. https://doi.org/10.1111/ipd.12073
https://doi.org/10.1111/ipd.12073...
,8585. Phantumvanit P, Makino Y, Ogawa H, Rugg-Gunn A, Moynihan P, Petersen PE, et al. WHO global consultation on public health intervention against early childhood caries. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2018 Jun;46(3):280-7. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdoe.12362
https://doi.org/10.1111/cdoe.12362...
However, brushing with a non-fluoridated toothpaste is associated with a higher incidence of caries in children, adolescents, and adults.8181. Kleemola-Kujala E, Räsänen L. Relationship of oral hygiene and sugar consumption to risk of caries in children. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 1982 Oct;10(5):224-33. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0528.1982.tb00384.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0528.1982...
,8686. Walsh T, Worthington HV, Glenny AM, Marinho VC, Jeroncic A. Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019;3(3):CD007868. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD007868.pub3
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD00786...
Thus, individuals who combine regular tooth brushing with fluoridated toothpaste have a lower risk of dental caries.8787. Kumar S, Tadakamadla J, Johnson NW. Effect of toothbrushing frequency on incidence and increment of dental caries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Dent Res. 2016 Oct;95(11):1230-6. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034516655315
https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034516655315...
There is no clinical evidence of a higher reduction in the risk of caries when the brushing frequency is > 2 times a day,8888. Carvajal P, Vernal R, Reinero D, Malheiros Z, Stewart B, Pannuti CM et al. Periodontal disease and its impact on general health in Latin America. Section II: Introduction part II. Braz Oral Res. 2020 Apr;34(supl 1):e023. https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-3107bor-2020.vol34.0023
https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-3107bor-202...
while there is a higher reduction in the risk of caries with increased fluoride concentration in the toothpaste.8787. Kumar S, Tadakamadla J, Johnson NW. Effect of toothbrushing frequency on incidence and increment of dental caries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Dent Res. 2016 Oct;95(11):1230-6. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034516655315
https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034516655315...

A recent critical review conducted in Latin America has shown that one of the most common risk indicators for gingivitis is poor oral hygiene,8989. Sheiham A, Maizels J, Cushing A, Holmes J. Dental attendance and dental status. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 1985 Dec;13(6):304-9. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0528.1985.tb00461.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0528.1985...
further highlighting the importance of oral hygiene.

Regular preventive dental care

Regular dental care combines individual behavioral factors with public-policy contextual factors (Figure 1). Absence of regular preventive dental care is associated with a higher number of fillings9090. National Collaborating Centre for Acute Care (UK). Dental recall: recall interval between routine dental examinations. London: National Collaborating Centre for Acute Care; 2004. and poor oral health4747. Peres KG, Thomson WM, Chaffee BW, Peres MA, Birungi N, Do LG, et al. Oral Health Birth Cohort Studies: Achievements, Challenges, and Potential [published online ahead of print, 2020 Jul 17]. J Dent Res. 2020 Nov;99(12):1321-31. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034520942208
https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034520942208...
in adulthood.

The behaviour of attending regularly has been linked to keeping teeth healthy.9191. Wang NJ, Petersen PE, Sveinsdóttir EG, Arnadóttir IB, Källestål C. Recall intervals and time used for examination and prevention by dentists in child dental care in Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden in 1996 and 2014. Community Dent Health. 2018 Mar;35(1):52-7. https://doi.org/10.1922/CDH_4186Wang06
https://doi.org/10.1922/CDH_4186Wang06...
There is a trend to move toward extended recall intervals and individualized preventive care as per the caries risk.9292. Riley P, Worthington HV, Clarkson JE, Beirne PV. Recall intervals for oral health in primary care patients. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Dec;(12):CD004346. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD004346.pub4
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD00434...

93. Pitts NB, Zero DT, Marsh PD, Ekstrand K, Weintraub JÁ, Ramos-Goez F, et al. Dental caries. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017;3:17030. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrdp.2017.30
https://doi.org/10.1038/nrdp.2017.30...
-9494. Marinho VC, Worthington HV, Walsh T, Clarkson JE. Fluoride varnishes for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;(7):CD002279. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD002279.pub2
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD00227...
In this context, periodic application of fluoride varnish (or gel) has a substantial caries-inhibiting effect in both, permanent and primary teeth9595. Weyant RJ, Tracy SL, Anselmo TT, et al. Topical fluoride for caries prevention: executive summary of the updated clinical recommendations and supporting systematic review. J Am Dent Assoc. 2013 Nov;144(11):1279-1291. https://doi.org/10.14219/jada.archive.2013.0057
https://doi.org/10.14219/jada.archive.20...
,9696. Martignon S, Pitts NB, Goffin G, Mazevet M, Douglas GV, Newton JT, et al. CariesCare practice guide: consensus on evidence into practice. Br Dent J. 2019 Sep;227(5):353-62. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-019-0678-8
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-019-0678-...
. Although not sufficiently established, the interval of dental visits depends on the risk classification of the patient in addition to age. It can vary from 3 months (in higher caries risk) to 12 and 24 months (in lower caries risk) in children and adults, respectively.9292. Riley P, Worthington HV, Clarkson JE, Beirne PV. Recall intervals for oral health in primary care patients. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Dec;(12):CD004346. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD004346.pub4
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD00434...
,9393. Pitts NB, Zero DT, Marsh PD, Ekstrand K, Weintraub JÁ, Ramos-Goez F, et al. Dental caries. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017;3:17030. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrdp.2017.30
https://doi.org/10.1038/nrdp.2017.30...
,9797. Fisberg M, Kovalskys I, Gómez G, et al. Total and added sugar intake: assessment in Eight Latin American countries. Nutrients. 2018 Mar;10(4):389. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10040389
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10040389...

Behavioral factors in populations from Latin America

Studies conducted in Brazil, Chile, and Colombia show that most children in different Latin American communities have access to foods with added sugars in the first two years of life and consume these foods with high frequencies and quantities during early childhood (Table 2). A study involving a representative, multinational sample of adolescents and adults from eight Latin American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela) showed a high frequency of excessive added sugar intake, with minimal differences among the countries.9898. Oliveira BH, Grisolia BM, Santos AP. Children’s toothbrushing practices recommended on the internet by Pediatric Dentistry Associations. Pediatr Dent. 2016 Nov;38(7):484-8. In contrast, the practice of brushing teeth with fluoridated dentifrices has been widespread in Latin American countries since childhood.9999. Martignon S, González MC, Tellez M, Guzmán A, Quintero IK, Sáenz V, et al. Schoolchildren’s tooth brushing characteristics and oral hygiene habits assessed with video-recorded sessions at school and a questionnaire. Acta Odontol Latinoam. 2012;25(2):163-70.

100. Carvalho TS, Kehrle HM, Sampaio FC. Prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis among students from João Pessoa, PB, Brazil. Braz Oral Res. 2007 Jul-Sep;21(3):198-203. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1806-83242007000300002
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1806-8324200700...

101. Hernández-Vásquez A, Azañedo D. [Tooth brushing and fluoride levels in toothpaste used by peruvian children under 12 years old]. Rev Peru Med Exp Salud Publica. 2019 Oct-Dec;36(4):646-52. Spanish. https://doi.org/10.17843/rpmesp.2019.364.4900
https://doi.org/10.17843/rpmesp.2019.364...
-102102. Feldens CA, Rösing CK, Santos BZ, Cordeiro MM. Pattern of fluoride-containing dentifrice use and associated factors in preschool children from Ijuí, South Brazil. Oral Health Prev Dent. 2010;8(3):277-85. However, some studies have suggested that this habit begins later and occurs less frequently among families with lower socioeconomic status.103103. Martins CC, Oliveira MJ, Pordeus IA, Cury JA, Paiva SM. Association between socioeconomic factors and the choice of dentifrice and fluoride intake by children. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2011 Nov;8(11):4284-99. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph8114284
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph8114284...

104. Vettore MV, Moysés SJ, Sardinha LM, Iser BP. [Socioeconomic status, toothbrushing frequency, and health-related behaviors in adolescents: an analysis using the PeNSE database]. Cad Saude Publica. 2012;28 Suppl:s101-13. Portuguese. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2012001300011
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X201200...
-105105. Lopez Del Valle L, Velazquez-Quintana Y, Weinstein P, Domoto P, Leroux B. Early childhood caries and risk factors in rural Puerto Rican children. ASDC J Dent Child. 1998 Mar-Apr;65(2):132-5.

Table 2
Investigations regarding behavioral factors and dental caries in LACC according to age group.

Table 2 shows some trials on the behavioral risk factors and caries in LACC.

Clinical implications

Knowledge on behavioral caries risk factors suggests that delaying the introduction of sugar in the first years of life; reducing the frequency of consumption throughout life; and exposing children, adolescents, and adults to tooth brushing with a fluoridated toothpaste are potential interventions for reducing the burden of this disease. Excess sugar intake is also a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity;120120. World Health Organization. Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children. Geneva: WHO; 2015.,121121. Grummon AH, Hall MG. Sugary drink warnings: a meta-analysis of experimental studies. PLoS Med. 2020 May;17(5):e1003120. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1003120
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.100...
therefore, reducing its consumption in individuals should be a goal for all health professionals. The adoption of healthier eating habits does not depend only on behavioral change. Eating practices are also influenced by advertising and food availability at supermarkets and schools. In Latin America, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, and Mexico have nutrient warning policies for reducing sugar intake, recognizing it as a threat to human health.122122. Twetman S. Caries risk assessment in children: how accurate are we? Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2016 Feb;17(1):27-32. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40368-015-0195-7
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40368-015-0195-...

Biological factors

This group of caries risk factors comprises recent caries experience and active caries lesions, saliva, cariogenic biofilm, plaque stagnation areas, and developmental defects of the enamel.

Both, systematic and narrative reviews have reported that caries experience is the best predictor for the development of caries lesions in the future,123123. Mejàre I, Axelsson S, Dahlén G, Espelid I, Norlund A, Tranæus S, et al. Caries risk assessment: a systematic review. Acta Odontol Scand. 2014 Feb;72(2):81-91. https://doi.org/10.3109/00016357.2013.822548
https://doi.org/10.3109/00016357.2013.82...

124. Powell LV. Caries prediction: a review of the literature. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 1998 Dec;26(6):361-71. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0528.1998.tb01974.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0528.1998...

125. Swedish Council on Technology Assessment in Health Care. Caries: diagnosis, risk assessment and non-invasive treatment. a systematic review. Stockholm: Swedish Council on Technology Assessment; 2008. (SBU Yellow Report, n. 188).

126. Twetman S, Fontana M. Patient caries risk assessment. Monogr Oral Sci. 2009;21:91-101. https://doi.org/10.1159/000224214
https://doi.org/10.1159/000224214...

127. Fontana M, Young DA, Wolff MS. Evidence-based caries, risk assessment, and treatment. Dent Clin North Am. 2009 Jan;53(1):149-61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cden.2008.10.003
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cden.2008.10.0...

128. Twetman S, Fontana M, Featherstone JD. Risk assessment: can we achieve consensus? Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2013 Feb;41(1):e64-70. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdoe.12026
https://doi.org/10.1111/cdoe.12026...
-129129. Cagetti MG, Bontà G, Cocco F, Lingstrom P, Strohmenger L, Campus G. Are standardized caries risk assessment models effective in assessing actual caries status and future caries increment? A systematic review. BMC Oral Health. 2018;18(1):123. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-018-0585-4
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-018-0585-...
with moderate to good accuracy in preschool children and limited accuracy in school children/adolescents.123123. Mejàre I, Axelsson S, Dahlén G, Espelid I, Norlund A, Tranæus S, et al. Caries risk assessment: a systematic review. Acta Odontol Scand. 2014 Feb;72(2):81-91. https://doi.org/10.3109/00016357.2013.822548
https://doi.org/10.3109/00016357.2013.82...
,124124. Powell LV. Caries prediction: a review of the literature. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 1998 Dec;26(6):361-71. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0528.1998.tb01974.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0528.1998...
As a single-risk factor, past or active caries has been classified as strong evidence-based recommendation.127127. Fontana M, Young DA, Wolff MS. Evidence-based caries, risk assessment, and treatment. Dent Clin North Am. 2009 Jan;53(1):149-61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cden.2008.10.003
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cden.2008.10.0...
Further, the highest caries incidence risk in permanent teeth is seen in the first few years after tooth eruption.130130. Christian B, Armstrong R, Calache H, Carpenter L, Gibbs L, Gussy M. A systematic review to assess the methodological quality of studies on measurement properties for caries risk assessment tools for young children Int J Paediatr Dent. 2018 Nov. https://doi.org/10.1111/ipd.12446
https://doi.org/10.1111/ipd.12446...
,131131. Buzalaf MA, Hannas AR, Kato MT. Saliva and dental erosion. J Appl Oral Sci. 2012 Sep-Oct;20(5):493-502. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-77572012000500001
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-7757201200...

Saliva is the most important biological factor involved in the protection against dental caries for several reasons, as follows: a) its buffering capacity restores the dental biofilm pH when the bacteria produce acids; b) salivary flow rate removes the acids from the oral cavity; c) it is supersaturated with calcium and phosphate with respect to the enamel mineral, thus promoting dental re-mineralization under favorable conditions; d) salivary proteins are the main components of the acquired enamel pellicle that acts as a semipermeable barrier, reducing the contact of the acids with the teeth.132132. Buzalaf MA, Ortiz AC, Carvalho TS, Fideles SO, Araújo TT, Moraes SM, et al. Saliva as a diagnostic tool for dental caries, periodontal disease and cancer: is there a need for more biomarkers? Expert Rev Mol Diagn. 2020 May;20(5):543-55. https://doi.org/10.1080/14737159.2020.1743686
https://doi.org/10.1080/14737159.2020.17...
,133133. Pyati SA, Naveen Kumar R, Kumar V, Praveen Kumar NH, Parveen Reddy KM. Salivary flow rate, pH, buffering capacity, total protein, oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity in children with and without dental caries. J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2018;42(6):445-9. https://doi.org/10.17796/1053-4625-42.6.7
https://doi.org/10.17796/1053-4625-42.6....
Thus, hyposalivation is related to dental caries.134134. Medeiros ML, Mendes LL, Lopes SL, Araújo EL, Silva IC, Medeiros EN, et al. Analysis of oral health conditions and risk factors for dental caries in patents with sickle cell disease. RGO Rev Gauch Odontol. 2018;66(3):232-8. https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-863720180003000063408
https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-86372018000...
Some systemic and metabolic disorders, such as Sjögren´s syndrome, medications, and head and neck irradiation, may cause salivary hypofunction, increasing the risk of caries.9191. Wang NJ, Petersen PE, Sveinsdóttir EG, Arnadóttir IB, Källestål C. Recall intervals and time used for examination and prevention by dentists in child dental care in Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden in 1996 and 2014. Community Dent Health. 2018 Mar;35(1):52-7. https://doi.org/10.1922/CDH_4186Wang06
https://doi.org/10.1922/CDH_4186Wang06...
,135135. Berman N, Vivino F, Baker J, Dunham J, Pinto A. Risk factors for caries development in primary Sjogren syndrome. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2019 Aug;128(2):117-22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oooo.2019.04.011
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oooo.2019.04.0...
,136136. Takahashi N, Nyvad B. The role of bacteria in the caries process: ecological perspectives. J Dent Res. 2011 Mar;90(3):294-303. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034510379602
https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034510379602...

The oral microbiota on clinically sound enamel surfaces comprises mainly non-mutans streptococci and Actinomyces. In this case, acidification is mild and uncommon, and there is an equilibrium between de- mineralization and re-mineralization or a shift toward re-mineralization. With frequent sugar consumption, there is increased acid formation that changes the composition of the microbiota, increasing acidogenic and aciduric bacteria (mutans streptococci, lactobacilli, bifidobacteria, and yeasts). The net result is the de-mineralization of enamel.137137. Carvalho JC. Caries process on occlusal surfaces: evolving evidence and understanding. Caries Res. 2014;48(4):339-46. https://doi.org/10.1159/000356307
https://doi.org/10.1159/000356307...

Plaque stagnation areas increase the accumulation of dental biofilm. Consequently, recently erupted first permanent molars are at higher risk of occlusal caries within the first post-eruption year and second permanent molars within the second and third post-eruption years.124124. Powell LV. Caries prediction: a review of the literature. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 1998 Dec;26(6):361-71. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0528.1998.tb01974.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0528.1998...
,138138. Carvalho JC, Ekstrand KR, Thylstrup A. Dental plaque and caries on occlusal surfaces of first permanent molars in relation to stage of eruption. J Dent Res. 1989 May;68(5):773-9. https://doi.org/10.1177/00220345890680050401
https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034589068005...
,139139. Cortes A, Ekstrand KR, Martignon S. Visual and radiographic merged-ICDAS caries progression pattern in 2-6 years old Colombian children: two-year follow-up [published online ahead of print, 2018 Nov 15]. Int J Paediatr Dent. 2018 Nov; https://doi.org/10.1111/ipd.12448
https://doi.org/10.1111/ipd.12448...
This was confirmed in a study performed in Colombian on the first permanent molars of 6-year-old children and the first and second primary molars of 2-year-old children.139139. Cortes A, Ekstrand KR, Martignon S. Visual and radiographic merged-ICDAS caries progression pattern in 2-6 years old Colombian children: two-year follow-up [published online ahead of print, 2018 Nov 15]. Int J Paediatr Dent. 2018 Nov; https://doi.org/10.1111/ipd.12448
https://doi.org/10.1111/ipd.12448...
In particular, Cortes et al.140140. Cortes A, Martignon S, Qvist V, Ekstrand KR. Approximal morphology as predictor of approximal caries in primary molar teeth. Clin Oral Investig. 2018b Mar;22(2):951-9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-017-2174-3
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-017-2174-...
found an increased caries risk on the distal area of the first primary molar when the neighbor primary molar had a concave proximal-surface.

Developmental defects of enamel (DDE) with areas of enamel loss or incomplete mineralization are considered as risk factors for caries related to dental biofilm stagnation.141141. Schüler IM, Haberstroh S, Dawczynski K, Lehmann T, Heinrich-Weltzien R. Dental caries and developmental defects of enamel in the primary dentition of preterm infants: case-control observational study. Caries Res. 2018;52(1-2):22-31. https://doi.org/10.1159/000480124
https://doi.org/10.1159/000480124...
Systematic reviews have shown an association between DDE and caries in the primary142142. Costa FS, Silveira ER, Pinto GS, Nascimento GG, Thomson WM, Demarco FF. Developmental defects of enamel and dental caries in the primary dentition: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Dent. 2017 May;60:1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2017.03.006
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2017.03....
and permanent dentition, respectively.143143. Vargas-Ferreira F, Salas MM, Nascimento GG, Tarquinio SB, Faggion CM Jr, Peres MA, et al. Association between developmental defects of enamel and dental caries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Dent. 2015 Jun;43(6):619-28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2015.03.011
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2015.03....

Disabilities caused by a physical or intellectual deficiency, such as cerebral palsy and Down’s Syndrome, respectively, may interfere with an individual’s routine functions. They may have special needs for assisted tooth brushing, the lack of which can compromise their oral hygiene, increasing their caries risk.144144. Diéguez-Pérez M, Nova-García MJ, Mourelle-Martínez MR, Bartolomé-Villar B. Oral health in children with physical (Cerebral Palsy) and intellectual (Down Syndrome) disabilities: systematic review I. J Clin Exp Dent. 2016 Jul;8(3):e337-43. https://doi.org/10.4317/jced.52922
https://doi.org/10.4317/jced.52922...
Older age is also related to an increased caries risk because of health deterioration and dependence on other people to perform oral hygiene practices.145145. Usuga-Vacca M, Marin-Zuluaga DJ, Castellanos JE, Martignon S. Association between root/coronal caries and individual factors in institutionalised elderly using ICDAS severity and activity. BMC Oral Health. 2021 Mar;21:146. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-021-01520-4
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-021-01520...

Table 3 shows some studies conducted in LACC that have reported an association between dental caries and biological factors.

Table 3
Investigations regarding biological risk factors and caries in LACC according to age group.

Individual caries risk assessment

Dental caries is a non-communicable disease with a multifactorial etiology that shares risk factors with other highly prevalent non-communicable diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease; sugar intake is one of these risk factors.9797. Fisberg M, Kovalskys I, Gómez G, et al. Total and added sugar intake: assessment in Eight Latin American countries. Nutrients. 2018 Mar;10(4):389. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10040389
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10040389...

The individual caries risk assessment (CRA) is the clinical process of classifying the probability that caries lesions will appear or progress if the conditions remain the same within a defined period.11. Machiulskiene V, Campus G, Carvalho JC, Dige I, Ekstrand KR, Jablonski-Momeni A, et al. Terminology of dental caries and dental caries management: Consensus Report of a Workshop Organized by ORCA and Cariology Research Group of IADR. Caries Res. 2020;54(1):7-14. https://doi.org/10.1159/000503309
https://doi.org/10.1159/000503309...
,123123. Mejàre I, Axelsson S, Dahlén G, Espelid I, Norlund A, Tranæus S, et al. Caries risk assessment: a systematic review. Acta Odontol Scand. 2014 Feb;72(2):81-91. https://doi.org/10.3109/00016357.2013.822548
https://doi.org/10.3109/00016357.2013.82...
It relates to a patient-centered caries management to reduce the risk of caries.11. Machiulskiene V, Campus G, Carvalho JC, Dige I, Ekstrand KR, Jablonski-Momeni A, et al. Terminology of dental caries and dental caries management: Consensus Report of a Workshop Organized by ORCA and Cariology Research Group of IADR. Caries Res. 2020;54(1):7-14. https://doi.org/10.1159/000503309
https://doi.org/10.1159/000503309...
CRA is supported in a scientific causal relationship based on risk models, programs, or single predictors validated via prospective cohort studies.129129. Cagetti MG, Bontà G, Cocco F, Lingstrom P, Strohmenger L, Campus G. Are standardized caries risk assessment models effective in assessing actual caries status and future caries increment? A systematic review. BMC Oral Health. 2018;18(1):123. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-018-0585-4
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-018-0585-...
The extrapolation of findings from high-quality predictive studies to the dental practice should be performed cautiously.123123. Mejàre I, Axelsson S, Dahlén G, Espelid I, Norlund A, Tranæus S, et al. Caries risk assessment: a systematic review. Acta Odontol Scand. 2014 Feb;72(2):81-91. https://doi.org/10.3109/00016357.2013.822548
https://doi.org/10.3109/00016357.2013.82...

Although the best indicator of a patient developing caries in the future is previous caries experience,123123. Mejàre I, Axelsson S, Dahlén G, Espelid I, Norlund A, Tranæus S, et al. Caries risk assessment: a systematic review. Acta Odontol Scand. 2014 Feb;72(2):81-91. https://doi.org/10.3109/00016357.2013.822548
https://doi.org/10.3109/00016357.2013.82...
,124124. Powell LV. Caries prediction: a review of the literature. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 1998 Dec;26(6):361-71. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0528.1998.tb01974.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0528.1998...
the scientific evidence of standardized CRA is still limited;123123. Mejàre I, Axelsson S, Dahlén G, Espelid I, Norlund A, Tranæus S, et al. Caries risk assessment: a systematic review. Acta Odontol Scand. 2014 Feb;72(2):81-91. https://doi.org/10.3109/00016357.2013.822548
https://doi.org/10.3109/00016357.2013.82...
,124124. Powell LV. Caries prediction: a review of the literature. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 1998 Dec;26(6):361-71. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0528.1998.tb01974.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0528.1998...
,129129. Cagetti MG, Bontà G, Cocco F, Lingstrom P, Strohmenger L, Campus G. Are standardized caries risk assessment models effective in assessing actual caries status and future caries increment? A systematic review. BMC Oral Health. 2018;18(1):123. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-018-0585-4
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-018-0585-...
, 130130. Christian B, Armstrong R, Calache H, Carpenter L, Gibbs L, Gussy M. A systematic review to assess the methodological quality of studies on measurement properties for caries risk assessment tools for young children Int J Paediatr Dent. 2018 Nov. https://doi.org/10.1111/ipd.12446
https://doi.org/10.1111/ipd.12446...
therefore, multivariate risk assessment models are considered optimal for clinical practice because they overcome assessing dental caries risk with only single predictors. These models consider socioeconomic factors, general health, behavior, diet, oral hygiene, and clinical factors including saliva.9797. Fisberg M, Kovalskys I, Gómez G, et al. Total and added sugar intake: assessment in Eight Latin American countries. Nutrients. 2018 Mar;10(4):389. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10040389
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10040389...
,123123. Mejàre I, Axelsson S, Dahlén G, Espelid I, Norlund A, Tranæus S, et al. Caries risk assessment: a systematic review. Acta Odontol Scand. 2014 Feb;72(2):81-91. https://doi.org/10.3109/00016357.2013.822548
https://doi.org/10.3109/00016357.2013.82...
,156156. Jørgensen MR, Twetman S. A systematic review of risk assessment tools for early childhood caries: is there evidence? Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2020 Apr;21(2):179-84. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40368-019-00480-2
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40368-019-00480...

157. Senneby A, Mejàre I, Sahlin NE, Svensäter G, Rohlin M. Diagnostic accuracy of different caries risk assessment methods: a systematic review. J Dent. 2015 Dec;43(12):1385-93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2015.10.011
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2015.10....
-158158. Fee PA, Riley P, Worthington HV, Clarkson JE, Boyers D, Beirne PV. Recall intervals for oral health in primary care patients. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;2020(10):CD004346. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD004346.pub5
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD00434...

CRA is considered a part of the best practices in caries management decision-making, including recall intervals,9191. Wang NJ, Petersen PE, Sveinsdóttir EG, Arnadóttir IB, Källestål C. Recall intervals and time used for examination and prevention by dentists in child dental care in Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden in 1996 and 2014. Community Dent Health. 2018 Mar;35(1):52-7. https://doi.org/10.1922/CDH_4186Wang06
https://doi.org/10.1922/CDH_4186Wang06...
,9797. Fisberg M, Kovalskys I, Gómez G, et al. Total and added sugar intake: assessment in Eight Latin American countries. Nutrients. 2018 Mar;10(4):389. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10040389
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10040389...
,123123. Mejàre I, Axelsson S, Dahlén G, Espelid I, Norlund A, Tranæus S, et al. Caries risk assessment: a systematic review. Acta Odontol Scand. 2014 Feb;72(2):81-91. https://doi.org/10.3109/00016357.2013.822548
https://doi.org/10.3109/00016357.2013.82...
,159159. Tellez M, Gomez J, Pretty I, Ellwood R, Ismail AI. Evidence on existing caries risk assessment systems: are they predictive of future caries? Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2013 Feb;41(1):67-78. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdoe.12003
https://doi.org/10.1111/cdoe.12003...
with desirable effects mostly overweighting the undesirable effects.160160. Doméjean S, Banerjee A, Featherstone JD. Caries risk/susceptibility assessment: its value in minimum intervention oral healthcare. Br Dent J. 2017 Aug;223(3):191-7. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2017.665
https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2017.665...
The multivariate risk models have shown moderate to good accuracy for early childhood caries and lower accuracy for children, adolescents,123123. Mejàre I, Axelsson S, Dahlén G, Espelid I, Norlund A, Tranæus S, et al. Caries risk assessment: a systematic review. Acta Odontol Scand. 2014 Feb;72(2):81-91. https://doi.org/10.3109/00016357.2013.822548
https://doi.org/10.3109/00016357.2013.82...
and adults.157157. Senneby A, Mejàre I, Sahlin NE, Svensäter G, Rohlin M. Diagnostic accuracy of different caries risk assessment methods: a systematic review. J Dent. 2015 Dec;43(12):1385-93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2015.10.011
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2015.10....
,158158. Fee PA, Riley P, Worthington HV, Clarkson JE, Boyers D, Beirne PV. Recall intervals for oral health in primary care patients. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;2020(10):CD004346. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD004346.pub5
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD00434...

Risk assessment models specifically developed for children aged < 6 y include the Dundee Caries Risk Assessment Model (DCRAM) and MySmileBuddy. Those for older children, adolescents, and adults include the Cariogram (also for younger children), the Caries Management by Risk Assessment (CAMBRA), the National University of Singapore model (NUS), the Caries Risk Tool (CAT), PreViser, the Caries Risk Pyramid, the American Dental Association (ADA) caries risk tool, the DCRAM, and the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry model (AAPD).123123. Mejàre I, Axelsson S, Dahlén G, Espelid I, Norlund A, Tranæus S, et al. Caries risk assessment: a systematic review. Acta Odontol Scand. 2014 Feb;72(2):81-91. https://doi.org/10.3109/00016357.2013.822548
https://doi.org/10.3109/00016357.2013.82...
,160160. Doméjean S, Banerjee A, Featherstone JD. Caries risk/susceptibility assessment: its value in minimum intervention oral healthcare. Br Dent J. 2017 Aug;223(3):191-7. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2017.665
https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2017.665...
,161161. Evans RW, Feldens CA, Phantunvanit P. A protocol for early childhood caries diagnosis and risk assessment. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2018 Oct;46(5):518-25. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdoe.12405
https://doi.org/10.1111/cdoe.12405...

More recently, for individuals off all ages, the CariesCare International (CCI), derived from ICCMS, developed a caries risk assessment model by consensus, taking concepts from Cariogram, ADA, and CAMBRA, among others9797. Fisberg M, Kovalskys I, Gómez G, et al. Total and added sugar intake: assessment in Eight Latin American countries. Nutrients. 2018 Mar;10(4):389. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10040389
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10040389...
(Figure 5). The CCI individual risk assessment model considers protective factors, social/medical/behavioral risk factors, and clinical risk factors. Protective factors relate to the use of ≥ 1000 ppm fluoridated toothpaste twice a day, dental preventive care, and accessible community fluoride. Social/medical/behavioral risk factors emphasize as the more relevant risk factor the presence of hyposalivation, followed by a high intake of free sugars, while clinical risk factors consider as a key risk factor a recent caries experience and/or the presence of active caries lesions.

Figure 5
Individual caries risk assessment, classification, and management decision, adapted from CariesCare International.90

CCI considers active caries lesions in smooth occlusal and proximal tooth surfaces128128. Twetman S, Fontana M, Featherstone JD. Risk assessment: can we achieve consensus? Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2013 Feb;41(1):e64-70. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdoe.12026
https://doi.org/10.1111/cdoe.12026...
better reflections of the metabolic activity in the biofilm.124124. Powell LV. Caries prediction: a review of the literature. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 1998 Dec;26(6):361-71. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0528.1998.tb01974.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0528.1998...
Active carious lesions can be categorized by using the clinical ICDAS-merged severity and activity criteria as follows: based on their severity - initial (ICDAS 1 and 2; non cavitated), -moderate (ICDAS 3 and 4; microcavity and underlying dentine shadow), and - extensive (ICDAS 5 and 6; cavitated), and based on their activity - active when initial/moderate carious lesions present as whitish/yellowish, opaque, rough to gentle probing, in a plaque stagnation area, and as extensive carious lesions when the dentine feels soft or leathery on gentle probing.9797. Fisberg M, Kovalskys I, Gómez G, et al. Total and added sugar intake: assessment in Eight Latin American countries. Nutrients. 2018 Mar;10(4):389. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10040389
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10040389...
Figure 6, depicts the ICDAS-merged severity and activity criteria.9797. Fisberg M, Kovalskys I, Gómez G, et al. Total and added sugar intake: assessment in Eight Latin American countries. Nutrients. 2018 Mar;10(4):389. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10040389
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10040389...
CCI classifies the patient into the following two risk categories: “lower caries risk” or “higher caries risk,” applying a simplified and practical version following a more ethical path,129129. Cagetti MG, Bontà G, Cocco F, Lingstrom P, Strohmenger L, Campus G. Are standardized caries risk assessment models effective in assessing actual caries status and future caries increment? A systematic review. BMC Oral Health. 2018;18(1):123. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-018-0585-4
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-018-0585-...
and highlighting clear best-practice management needs, including homecare, clinical approaches, and risk-based intervals (Figure 5).

Figure 6
Activity status and signs of ICDAS-merged coronal caries lesions, adapted from CariesCare International.96

Clinical implications

With regard to ECC, specific protocols focus on the urgency to reduce the risk of dental caries progression, determining the frequency of interventions, and the need to improve primary prevention.162162. Ritter AV, Preisser JS, Puranik CP, Chung Y, Bader JD, Shugars DA, et al. A predictive model for root caries incidence. Caries Res. 2016;50(3):271-8. https://doi.org/10.1159/000445445
https://doi.org/10.1159/000445445...
In all age groups, high consumption of free sugars should be avoided and brushing teeth twice every day with fluoridated dentifrice of ≥ 1000 ppm F- should be encouraged.9797. Fisberg M, Kovalskys I, Gómez G, et al. Total and added sugar intake: assessment in Eight Latin American countries. Nutrients. 2018 Mar;10(4):389. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10040389
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10040389...

In the elderly, risk indicators that accurately predict root caries incidence include an increased number of exposed root surfaces and increased root caries experience, gingival recession, poor oral hygiene, and lower socioeconomic level.146146. Segovia-Villanueva A, Estrella-Rodriguez R, Medina-Solis CE, Maupomé G. Dental caries experience and factors among preschoolers in southeastern México: a brief communication. J Public Health Dent. 2006;66(2):88-91. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-7325.2006.tb02561.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-7325.2006...
,163163. Zhang J, Leung KC, Sardana D, Wong MC, Lo EC. Risk predictors of dental root caries: a systematic review. J Dent. 2019 Oct;89:103166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2019.07.004
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2019.07....
,164164. Gomez J, Ellwood RP, Martignon S, Pretty IA. Dentists’ perspectives on caries-related treatment decisions. Community Dent Health. 2014 Jun;31(2):91-8.

The caries risk status influences the treatment for specific tooth-surface carious lesions in permanent teeth in Colombian dentists, with operative care overruling non-operative care for an initial lesion in the presence of a higher risk of caries.165165. Pitts N, Melo P, Martignon S, Ekstrand K, Ismail A. Caries risk assessment, diagnosis and synthesis in the context of a European Core Curriculum in Cariology. Eur J Dent Educ. 2011 Nov;15 Suppl 1:23-31. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0579.2011.00711.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0579.2011...

Age should be considered for the CRA because it is related to individual changes and characteristics at different levels (Figure 3). The caries risk is modifiable by clinical measures and behavioral changes as well as by individual characteristics; therefore, its assessment should be conducted for every patient during the oral health review.9191. Wang NJ, Petersen PE, Sveinsdóttir EG, Arnadóttir IB, Källestål C. Recall intervals and time used for examination and prevention by dentists in child dental care in Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden in 1996 and 2014. Community Dent Health. 2018 Mar;35(1):52-7. https://doi.org/10.1922/CDH_4186Wang06
https://doi.org/10.1922/CDH_4186Wang06...
,9797. Fisberg M, Kovalskys I, Gómez G, et al. Total and added sugar intake: assessment in Eight Latin American countries. Nutrients. 2018 Mar;10(4):389. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10040389
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10040389...

Risk assessment and management provides an opportunity to communicate with patients to enable them to adhere and reduce their caries risk, puts oral health into general health, and reinforces the oral health record legally.9797. Fisberg M, Kovalskys I, Gómez G, et al. Total and added sugar intake: assessment in Eight Latin American countries. Nutrients. 2018 Mar;10(4):389. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10040389
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10040389...

Dental educational aspects related to CRA

CRA in the core curriculum of dental students qualifies as a significant competency and is considered an essential component in the decision-making process for correct individual dental caries management. This implies a careful linkage between the teaching and learning processes of caries risk assessment, diagnosis, and synthesis domain, in both, the clinical decision-making and the non-operative and the operative care domains166166. Martignon S, Gomez J, Tellez M, Ruiz JA, Marin LM, Rangel MC. Current cariology education in dental schools in Spanish-speaking Latin American countries. J Dent Educ. 2013 Oct;77(10):1330-7. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.0022-0337.2013.77.10.tb05607.x
https://doi.org/10.1002/j.0022-0337.2013...
. Evidence-based teaching in dentistry should permeate all aspects of the curriculum. In Spanish-speaking Latin American dental schools, Martignon et al.167167. Martignon S, Marín LM, Pitts N, Jácome-Liévano S. Consensus on domains, formation objectives and contents in cariology for undergraduate dental students in Colombia. Eur J Dent Educ. 2014 Nov;18(4):222-33. https://doi.org/10.1111/eje.12091
https://doi.org/10.1111/eje.12091...
reported that while 87% dental schools teach caries risk assessment and preventive strategies, only 43% link both of these in the clinic.

In Colombia, after a consensus was achieved in cariology teaching for undergraduate students in 2012 among most dental schools (94%), CRA was designated as a learning objective.168168. Abreu-Placeres N, Grau-Grullón P, Naidu R, García-Godoy F, Newton JT, Ekstrand KR, et al. Cariology consensus for undergraduates at dental schools in the Caribbean region. Eur J Dent Educ. 2020 Dec. https://doi.org/10.1111/eje.12651
https://doi.org/10.1111/eje.12651...
This was also the case with the 100% consensus being achieved among 15 dental schools in the Caribbean region, 12 in the Dominican Republic, and 1 each in Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago.169169. Ferreira-Nóbilo NP, Rosário de Sousa ML, Cury JA. Cariology in curriculum of Brazilian dental schools. Braz Dent J. 2014;25(4):265-70. https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-6440201300149
https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-64402013001...
In Brazil, information about caries risk is disseminated via Public health and Integrated seminars, risk factors, and determinants170170. Gouvea DB, Groisman S, Bönecker M, Sampaio F, Paiva S, Kriger L, et al. Cariology education for undergraduate Brazilian dental students. RGO Rev Gaúch Odontol. 2018;66(3):239-44. https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-863720180003000073428
https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-86372018000...
and taught in a theoretical manner in most dental schools (94%).171171. Díaz-Yokens M, González S, Giacaman RA, Araya-Bustos F, Moncada G, Martignon S. Cariology curriculum in Chilean Universities. Rev Clín Periodoncia Implantol Rehabil Oral. 2018;11(2):98-101. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0719-01072018000200098
https://doi.org/10.4067/S0719-0107201800...
In Chile, all universities teach CRA theoretically,172172. Aránguiz-Freyhofer V, Marró-Freitte ML, Ramírez-Lobos V, Moncada-Cortes G. Contenidos de cariología impartidos por escuelas dentales chilenas: estudio transversal. Rev Clín Periodoncia Implantol Rehabil Oral. 2019;12(1):31-6. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0719-01072019000100031
https://doi.org/10.4067/S0719-0107201900...
with clinical application being taught at only 40% of all dental schools.173173. Gonzalez CD, Okunseri C. Senior dental students’ experience with Cariogram in a pediatric dentistry clinic. J Dent Educ. 2010 Feb;74(2):123-9. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.0022-0337.2010.74.2.tb04861.x
https://doi.org/10.1002/j.0022-0337.2010...

Other data show that students exhibit relatively lower response to the usefulness of a CRA tool, such as Cariogram in the planning of treatments linked to the relatively low knowledge of part-time faculty in using this tool.174174. Goolsby SP, Young DA, Chiang HK, Carrico CK, Jackson LV, Rechmann P. The Effects of Faculty Calibration on Caries Risk Assessment and Quality Assurance. J Dent Educ. 2016 Nov;80(11):1294-300. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.0022-0337.2016.80.11.tb06214.x
https://doi.org/10.1002/j.0022-0337.2016...
Calibration training for both, teachers and students may help resolve this issue.175175. Young DA, Alvear Fa B, Rogers N, Rechmann P. The Effect of calibration on caries risk assessment performance by students and clinical faculty. J Dent Educ. 2017 Jun;81(6):667-74. https://doi.org/10.21815/JDE.017.013
https://doi.org/10.21815/JDE.017.013...
,176176. Pozos-Guillén A, Molina G, Soviero V, Arthur RA, Chavarria-Bolaños D, Acevedo AM. Management of dental caries lesions in Latin American and Caribbean countries. Braz Oral Res. 2021;35(suppl 1):e055. https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-3107bor-2021.vol35.0055
https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-3107bor-202...

General Implications for public health policies

The correct identification of risk factors for dental caries has a direct implication in the implementation of public policies. It allows the organization of oral health services directed at the population that needs it the most. Thus, health policies based on the principles of equity in health care are required. Unfortunately, several Latin American countries do not have universal health systems, and oral health, in turn, is offered in most cases through private health care facilities.

In countries with more consolidated public health systems, oral health policies must use the concept of risk factors beyond the individual level. Ideally, caries risk factors should be embedded in a broader context that includes other preventive strategies in an inter-sectorial perspective. The strategy of common risk factors4242. Watt RG, Sheiham A. Integrating the common risk factor approach into a social determinants framework. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2012 Aug;40(4):289-96. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0528.2012.00680.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0528.2012...
indicates the need of articulating health education policies for different areas of health. Oral diseases share risk factors with other systemic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, and cancer; therefore, the adoption of collaborative strategies becomes more rational. In paper 3 of this LAOHA caries consensus, Ricomini-Filho et al. discusses oral public health alternatives in more detail.4040. Ricomini Filho AP, Chávez BA, Giacaman RA, Frazão P, Cury JA. Community interventions and strategies for caries control in Latin American and Caribbean countries. Braz Oral Res. 2021;35(suppl 1):e054. https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-3107bor-2021.vol35.054
https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-3107bor-202...

General Implications for clinical practice

Considering the available scientific evidence and best practices, caries management at the individual level relates to patient-centered practices wherein risk-based care is highlighted.9393. Pitts NB, Zero DT, Marsh PD, Ekstrand K, Weintraub JÁ, Ramos-Goez F, et al. Dental caries. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017;3:17030. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrdp.2017.30
https://doi.org/10.1038/nrdp.2017.30...
Despite a low-to-moderate evidence of CRA models and the difficulties in the extrapolation of studies, advantages overcome the disadvantages. There is an agreement for risk assessment, with preference of a multi-factor model over a single factor assessment, involving protective and risk factors, putting oral health into general health, considering the common risk factors’ strategy, and leading caries risk management to homecare and in-office approaches with a risk-linked interval recall. More recently, there is a trend to simplify the caries risk classification into the following two categories: higher and lower, to facilitate effective management. The involvement of patients in their oral health care is benefited by the dental team-patient communication through CRA; becoming aware of their disease risk increases the patients’ adherence and satisfaction with dental care. In paper 4 of this LAOHA caries consensus, Pozos-Guillén et al.176176. Pozos-Guillén A, Molina G, Soviero V, Arthur RA, Chavarria-Bolaños D, Acevedo AM. Management of dental caries lesions in Latin American and Caribbean countries. Braz Oral Res. 2021;35(suppl 1):e055. https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-3107bor-2021.vol35.0055
https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-3107bor-202...
discusses individual caries care alternatives at the tooth level in more detail.

Conclusions and recommendations - Perspectives for LACC

Identifying modifiable risk factors for dental caries should be the basis for multi-strategy actions that consider the historical, ethnic, and cultural diversity of LACC communities.

This includes general measures that address social determinants and specific oral health measures such as:

  1. increasing the education level;

  2. increasing oral health literacy;

  3. reducing poverty and inequality;

  4. endorsing community fluoridation policies;

  5. supporting upstream measures that promote the reduction of sugar intake, such as policies on advertising, availability, and taxation of sugary products;

  6. encouraging healthy dietary practices and discouraging the consumption of free sugars from childhood to adulthood;

  7. promoting tooth brushing with ≥ 1000 ppm fluoride-containing toothpaste for all children, adolescents, and adults;

  8. promoting patient-centered and risk-based caries care;

  9. promoting integrated actions among the dental team and other health care professionals.

Integrated actions among dentists, other health professionals, and policymakers represent the only option for effectively combating the common risk factors to reduce the burden of dental caries and other non-communicable diseases. Moreover, there is a need to conduct higher -quality studies in LACC to achieve a better understanding in our populations regarding the effect of exposures to caries risk factors on dental caries, within the framework of non-communicable disease related to oral health, general health, and quality of life. Peres et al.,4747. Peres KG, Thomson WM, Chaffee BW, Peres MA, Birungi N, Do LG, et al. Oral Health Birth Cohort Studies: Achievements, Challenges, and Potential [published online ahead of print, 2020 Jul 17]. J Dent Res. 2020 Nov;99(12):1321-31. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034520942208
https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034520942208...
highlighted the need for birth cohort studies, epidemiologic and statistical analyses, observational and nested intervention studies, as well as conforming collaborative group studies.

Acknowledgments

This paper was prepared for the consensus meeting titled “Dental Caries Prevalence, Prospects and Challenges for LACC”, promoted by the Latin American Oral Health Association and Colgate Palmolive Co. with the support of the Federación Odontológica Latinoamericana, Sociedade Brasileira de Pesquisa Odontológica (SBPqO/Brazilian Division of IADR), and the participation of experts from the region, including representatives from national, regional and international dental associations. All participants had the opportunity to review the manuscript and make their own contributions. This paper contributed to the summary and final recommendations of the Dental Caries Regional Consensus.

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  • Erratum

    p. 2, column 2, last line
    Were is read:
    DMFT data collected 12 y previously
    It should read:
    Previously collected 12-year DMFT data
    p. 4, column 2, line 9
    Were is read:
    dmft values from 5-6 y previously
    It should read:
    previously collected 5 to 6-year DMFT values
    p. 9, §2, line 8
    Were is read:
    for > 2 months
    It should read:
    for > 12 months
  • Erratum

    Page 9, §2, lines 8 and 9
    Where is read:
    and with a high frequency79 of daily sugars’ intake.79
    It should read:
    and with a high frequency.79

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    28 May 2021
  • Date of issue
    2021

History

  • Received
    9 Mar 2021
  • Accepted
    9 Mar 2021
  • Reviewed
    15 Mar 2021
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