Caries, prevention, and growth cases

Connect caries decisions to prevention, development, and a plan the family can use.

90 minutes in 5 steps. Covers Caries & restorative care, Prevention & health promotion, Growth & developing dentition, Advocacy & family education.

Learning objectives

Choose caries care from pulp status, disease risk, and access.
Explain space decisions and prevention to a caregiver.

Rehearse one step at a time

Full agenda and answer review

Step 1, 15 minutes
Refresh risk-based prevention using familiar notes and the care pathway.
Step 2, 30 minutes
Caries case: defend your options and the restoration you choose.
A 4-year-old has cavitated lesions on four primary molars. Two are deep and close to the pulp but symptom-free. Juice several times a day; cooperation is limited.
Change one thing
The parent can only return twice this year. What changes, and what stays the same?
Show changed plan
Changed plan · authored self-check
- Adapt delivery and help address the access barrier; two available visits do not lower this child’s caries risk or establish an adequate recall interval.
- Prioritize pain/infection assessment and durable disease control. Choose arrest, interim, or definitive care only after pulp assessment and discussion of cooperation and follow-up feasibility.
- Keep home fluoride and dietary changes in the plan; arrange reassessment or a connected local provider rather than promise that limited attendance makes monitoring unnecessary.
Sources
- Caries risk
- Restorative care
Review this theme and its sources
Step 3, 20 minutes
Early tooth loss case.
A 7-year-old had a lower primary first molar extracted for caries two months ago. The permanent first molars have erupted.
Change one thing
The radiograph shows the successor is congenitally missing. How do the records, plan, and referral change?
Show changed plan
Changed plan · authored self-check
- Replace an eruption-dependent space-maintainer plan with a long-term space decision; there is no successor to erupt into this site.
- Assess arch length, occlusion, growth, adjacent teeth, and the missing-tooth pattern. Coordinate orthodontic/restorative planning for space closure versus preservation for future replacement.
- Do not select a definitive appliance or implant from the single radiograph finding; timing and maintenance depend on the full records and growth.
Sources
- Developing dentition
Review this theme and its sources
Step 4, 15 minutes
Explain prevention and access to care to a study partner acting as the caregiver.
The parent of the 4-year-old asks why diet changes and varnish matter if the cavities are being filled anyway.
Change one thing
The parent says, “Baby teeth fall out anyway.” How do you respond?
Show changed plan
Changed plan · authored self-check
- Explain that the immediate goal is comfortable function and control of active disease while these teeth remain in use. Natural exfoliation does not make a diseased tooth harmless.
- Fillings repair damaged teeth; fluoride, brushing, and fewer sugar exposures address continuing risk for new lesions. Agree on a feasible family plan.
- Do not assume extraction or no care is appropriate because the teeth are primary; pulp status, restorability, and expected remaining life still determine treatment.
Sources
- Caries risk
- Restorative care
Review this theme and its sources
Step 5, 10 minutes
Write down two unresolved decisions and the source sections needed to resolve them.

To finish

Deliver one organized care plan and one family-friendly explanation without notes.

Caries case: defend your options and the restoration you choose.

A 4-year-old has cavitated lesions on four primary molars. Two are deep and close to the pulp but symptom-free. Juice several times a day; cooperation is limited.

Show changed plan

Changed plan · authored self-check

Adapt delivery and help address the access barrier; two available visits do not lower this child’s caries risk or establish an adequate recall interval.
Prioritize pain/infection assessment and durable disease control. Choose arrest, interim, or definitive care only after pulp assessment and discussion of cooperation and follow-up feasibility.
Keep home fluoride and dietary changes in the plan; arrange reassessment or a connected local provider rather than promise that limited attendance makes monitoring unnecessary.

Sources

Review this theme and its sources

Early tooth loss case.

A 7-year-old had a lower primary first molar extracted for caries two months ago. The permanent first molars have erupted.

Show changed plan

Changed plan · authored self-check

Replace an eruption-dependent space-maintainer plan with a long-term space decision; there is no successor to erupt into this site.
Assess arch length, occlusion, growth, adjacent teeth, and the missing-tooth pattern. Coordinate orthodontic/restorative planning for space closure versus preservation for future replacement.
Do not select a definitive appliance or implant from the single radiograph finding; timing and maintenance depend on the full records and growth.

Sources

Developing dentition

Review this theme and its sources

Explain prevention and access to care to a study partner acting as the caregiver.

The parent of the 4-year-old asks why diet changes and varnish matter if the cavities are being filled anyway.

Show changed plan

Changed plan · authored self-check

Explain that the immediate goal is comfortable function and control of active disease while these teeth remain in use. Natural exfoliation does not make a diseased tooth harmless.
Fillings repair damaged teeth; fluoride, brushing, and fewer sugar exposures address continuing risk for new lesions. Agree on a feasible family plan.
Do not assume extraction or no care is appropriate because the teeth are primary; pulp status, restorability, and expected remaining life still determine treatment.

Sources

Review this theme and its sources

Learning objectives

Rehearse one step at a time

Refresh risk-based prevention using familiar notes and the care pathway.

Caries case: defend your options and the restoration you choose.

Check your answer

Changed plan · authored self-check

Sources

Early tooth loss case.

Check your answer

Changed plan · authored self-check

Sources

Explain prevention and access to care to a study partner acting as the caregiver.

Check your answer

Changed plan · authored self-check

Sources

Write down two unresolved decisions and the source sections needed to resolve them.

To finish

Learning objectives

Rehearse one step at a time

Refresh risk-based prevention using familiar notes and the care pathway.

Caries case: defend your options and the restoration you choose.

Check your answer

Changed plan · authored self-check

Sources

Early tooth loss case.

Check your answer

Changed plan · authored self-check

Sources

Explain prevention and access to care to a study partner acting as the caregiver.

Check your answer

Changed plan · authored self-check

Sources

Write down two unresolved decisions and the source sections needed to resolve them.

To finish