Tooth decay (dental caries) commonly occurs throughout the world and is one of the most widespread infectious diseases of lifestyle, globally affecting all age groups; up to 90% schoolchildren and almost 100% adults in both developing and developed countries. When left untreated, it can lead to disease outbreaks resulting in advere-health and life-threatening conditions such as endocarditis or sepsis. Undoubtedly, basic measures are thus required in both dental and GP practice to ensure that dental caries are detected early. This article presents the various diagnostic methods used to identify these disease outbreaks.
Keywords: dental caries; diagnostics.