Each of the following is a CARIES RISK ASSESSMENT system EXCEPT one. Which is the EXCEPTION?

Correct answer: A. ICDAS

• A. CORRECT — this is the EXCEPTION. ICDAS (International Caries Detection and Assessment System) is a lesion DETECTION and staging system. It scores the visual severity of an individual carious lesion from 0 (sound) through 6 (extensive cavitation into dentin). It describes the disease you can already see; it does not predict future risk.
• B. CAMBRA (Caries Management By Risk Assessment) IS a risk assessment system. It balances disease indicators and risk factors against protective factors to classify a patient as low, moderate, high or extreme risk, and links each level to a management protocol.
• C. The AAPD Caries-risk Assessment Tool (CAT) IS a risk assessment instrument designed for the paediatric population.
• D. The ADA Caries Risk Assessment Form IS a risk assessment tool, published in versions for patients under and over six years of age.

Note: Keep the two ideas separate: DETECTION systems (ICDAS, and radiographic classifications) describe lesions that exist; RISK systems (CAMBRA, ADA, AAPD CAT) predict lesions that have not yet formed and drive preventive intensity — recall interval, fluoride regimen, sealants, chlorhexidine, xylitol.