Utilization of caries risk assessment tools within the underserved population: a scoping review

Caries Risk Assessment (CRA) tools can be utilised to assess caries risk levels within underserved individuals to provide risk-based caries management. With no previous review mapping the evidence of CRA tools in underserved populations, a scoping review was conducted to provide a comprehensive view of the current literature and the utilisation of CRA tools in underserved populations. The main objectives of this review are as follows: (1) to comprehensively review CRA tools utilised, and (2) to highlight the important findings indicating the oral health status of underserved population subgroups.

A systematic search was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Dissertations & Theses Global (ProQuest). All relevant English-language papers published between January 2004 to June 2024 were identified. Retrieved references were imported and underwent 2-stage screening. The type of CRA tool was extracted as the primary outcome and oral health status of underserved subgroups were extracted as the secondary outcome.

A total of 26 studies and nine different CRA tools were identified. Included studies examined caries risk in low-income families, people with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, refugees, veterans, and rural communities. Most studies indicated moderate to high caries risk and significant unmet oral health needs in underserved populations.

The underserved populations experience elevated caries risk and poor oral health status that require the attention of policymakers and practitioners. Significant heterogeneity across the utilised CRA tools was identified. Future research focusing on developing a standardised and appropriately validated CRA tool that can be utilised is necessary.