A patient is assessed as HIGH caries risk. What is the appropriate recall interval?

Correct answer: B. 3 months

• A. Twelve months is appropriate only for LOW risk patients with stable oral health, good hygiene, no active lesions and no complicating medical or social factors.
• B. CORRECT. High caries risk warrants a SHORT recall of approximately 3 MONTHS. The interval is set by risk, not by habit. Frequent recall permits professional fluoride application at intervals matched to its duration of benefit, early detection of new lesions while they are still remineralisable, reinforcement of dietary and hygiene counselling, and objective monitoring of whether the risk category is actually improving.
• C. Six months is the conventional interval for MODERATE risk patients and the traditional default — but it is not evidence-based as a universal rule.
• D. Eighteen months is too long for any risk category in routine practice and would allow new lesions to cavitate unobserved.

Note: Under CAMBRA, the risk category drives both the recall interval and the intensity of the preventive package. High risk typically means 3-month recall plus prescription-strength 5000 ppm fluoride toothpaste, professional fluoride varnish at each visit, chlorhexidine or xylitol as indicated, sealants and dietary counselling.