CARIOGRAM - A Multifactorial Risk Assessment Model for Dental Caries

Dental caries is one of the major public health problem in India, approximately 60-70% of Indian population have this disease and about one-third are able to receive its treatment. Cariogram is a diagnostic tool which can predict the occurrence of dental caries on the basis of diet and other factors associated with its causation. It gives us a pragmatic solution for the management of dental caries by incorporation of regular brushing, fluoride mouthwash rinses and other oral hygiene measures in day to day life. Research indicated that dental caries is a financial burden to the individual which can act as a roadblock in its treatment, thus cost-effective measures like "Basic Package for Oral Health" (BPOC) can save the day for the community. Thus, it is the need of the hour to act proactively in the utilisation of cariogram as a effective tool for screening and timely detection of dental caries and steps for its management.