Caries-risk Assessment Tool

The Caries-risk Assessment Tool (CAT), also known as Caries Management by Risk Assessment (CAMBRA), is a systematic framework for evaluating a patient's risk of developing dental caries (cavities). Developed by Featherstone and endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), American Dental Association (ADA), and International Association of Dental Research, the CAT stratifies patients into low, moderate, or high caries-risk categories based on clinical and behavioral factors. Risk assessment guides preventive interventions, enabling individualized caries management and efficient resource allocation.