Risk assessment
Caries, periodontal, erosion and oral cancer risks are dynamic. Combine disease activity, behaviours, clinical findings and protective factors.
Understand
Risk is the likelihood of future disease or harm, not simply the number of lesions seen today. Protective factors, activity, medical status and access to care modify it over time.
Assess
Review past caries and restorations, periodontal status, diet, fluoride, tobacco, saliva and self-care. For procedures, assess bleeding, infection, airway and healing risks separately.
Apply
Use risk to tailor prevention, treatment sequence and recall. Explain which factors can change and record why a patient moves between risk categories after review.
Key distinctions
Separate disease risk from procedural risk. A patient can have low current caries risk yet high bleeding risk for surgery, or stable periodontitis with a new xerostomia-related caries threat. Risk assessment should lead to a changed prevention or treatment plan; a label without an action is of limited use.
Think through a case
Two patients have identical bitewing lesions; one has recent progression and frequent sugar, the other has stable images and low risk. Their plans need not be identical.
The distinction to remember
Do not freeze risk at the first consultation. Reassess after disease control, changed medication or altered self-care.
Test your recall
Why review risk after treatment?
Show answer
Behaviour and disease activity may change, altering recall and prevention.