From the Co-Editor

John C. Kois, DMD, MSD

Dear Readers,

Dentistry is facing the challenges of a paradigm shift from a repair model to a health-oriented one. All of our clinical decisions must begin by determining an individual patient’s risk for future disease, even before he or she expresses it. This determination is at the core of our prevention protocols; all subsequent patient treatment is directed toward reducing this risk with therapy.

To better understand the tooth biofilm disease that we refer to as caries, a paradigm shift is necessary. Unfortunately, the traditional surgical model merely addresses the result of the disease, not the etiology. Dental caries is a transmissible and infectious bacterial disease. It is the most common disease in our children.

I asked Dr. Kim Kutsch to serve as guest editor and bring together a team of world authorities to help us unravel this confusion. In this issue of Compendium, they have provided us with evidence-based, clinical decision-making protocols that will change the way we evaluate and subsequently treat our patients. Thank you, Kim, for a job well done.

Sincerely,

John C. Kois, DMD, MSD