Course Description:

Historically, dentistry has used a surgical model for the treatment of dental caries. Eventually, it became clear that restorations dealt with an end result of the disease rather than its etiologic causes. A new and well researched paradigm took shape using the caries management by risk assessment (CAMBRA) model. In CAMBRA, the clinician identifies the cause of the disease by assessing each client’s risk indicators, risk factors; and caries protective factors. Then each client is categorized in terms of level of risk and specific treatment protocols and recommendations are determined based on their risk level.

Because the primary purpose of CAMBRA is to assess the client’s risk for dental caries and to determine appropriate preventive and therapeutic approaches, the dental hygienist can be the key dental team member responsible for the creation, implementation, and evaluation of CAMBRA in the office.

This topic is available by special request in French or English.

After completion of this half-day seminar, the participant will be able to:
  • Explain the Caries Management by Risk Assessment model (CAMBRA) and its variance throughout the life cycle.
  • Complete a CAMBRA assessment based on different clinical scenarios presented and appropriately determine the risk level for dental caries for each of the clients.
  • Develop & implement proper preventive and/or therapeutic interventions based on the client’s specific risk level for dental caries.

Sylvie Martel, RDH, Dip DH, Teaching Cert., Dipl. Andragogy, M.Ed.

SM 2010 A An experienced dental hygienist and speaker in the area of Periodontics, she holds licenses to practice in two Canadian provinces, Ontario and Quebec. Her practical experience includes periodontics, orthodontics, restorative dentistry, administration, and various educational settings. She has held full-time and part-time faculty positions in both Dental Hygiene and Dentistry programs for the past 27 years.

In the last 25 years, she has been working in the corporate sector as a lecturer, a key opinion leader, a trainer and an education specialist. She is an assessor and board member for the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada and an education manager with the National Dental Hygiene Certification Board of Canada. An active member of many organizations, her numerous contributions to the advancement of her profession have been highly recognized over the years.