23 - 23 We’re Still No.1: How Do We Target Dental Services to Reduce Caries in Children Who Need It Most?

Description: Caries continues to rank among the most prevalent diseases of childhood. Caries risk assessment (CRA) provides the foundation to shift our approach to caries from an antiquated ‘one size fits all’ model to risk-based service delivery targeting those who need it most. However, how do we best unleash CRA potential in practice?

The dental provider is critical in the successful implementation of risk-based caries management. In essence, through their engagement, commitment, and ability to assess risk, the dental provider can serve as either a facilitator or gatekeeper to the movement to truly address caries by risk-informed need.

As part of ongoing research at Columbia University’s pediatric dental clinic assessing CRA and risk-informed health education, we explored pediatric dental residents’ beliefs and engagement with CRA through the evaluation of the providers interaction with CAMBRA, a validated CRA tool utilized across Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, and an anonymous survey. Despite an overall positive consensus, providers revealed a disconnect between CRA and their approach to caries management in practice, deeming formalized risk assessment a ‘check box exercise’. Presentation of our results will serve as the basis for discussion on the existing acceptability of CRA, barriers to risk-based care, and the exploration of strategies to meaningfully target care to those who need it most.

We welcome insights from efforts to target services across the country, offering the opportunity for participants to provide unique perspectives and promote fruitful dialogue on our research and beyond.

Source of

Funding: : CVS Aetna