When taking an oral history, providers should focus on these risk factors for caries and periodontal disease.
Individual
- Personal history of caries or periodontal disease
- Low socioeconomic status
- Medications that contain sugar or cause xerostomia
- Chronic disease such as diabetes
- Emotional or physical disabilities
Behavioral
- Poor oral hygiene habits
- High sugar-containing diet
- Lack of routine dental visits
- Alcohol and tobacco use
Environmental/Societal
- Non-fluoridated community water
- Poor access to dental and/or medical care
Race/Ethnicity
- Social injustice and inequity affects overall health and health profoundly through stress and other means
- There are fewer dental providers of colour
- Dental providers may be less accessible in communities of colour (e.g. location, hours, transportation, etc)