Risk for dental caries, high

This code signifies a patient's elevated susceptibility to developing tooth decay due to various contributing factors. It indicates a proactive assessment of risk rather than the presence of active carious lesions. This assessment helps guide preventive interventions and patient education.

Use this code when a patient has been identified through a clinical risk assessment as having a high probability of developing dental caries. This often occurs during routine dental examinations, particularly for pediatric patients, or when a patient presents with multiple risk factors such as poor oral hygiene, high sugar intake, or certain medical conditions.

• Do not use this code if active dental caries are present; instead, code the specific carious lesion(s).
• This code is often used in conjunction with codes for the underlying risk factors (e.g., poor oral hygiene, specific dietary habits) if documented.
• Ensure the medical record clearly supports the "high" risk assessment, detailing the criteria used to determine this level of risk.