Table 1.

Ratings of importance of caries risk factors for treatment plan.

	Rating of importance Mean (SD)
Current oral hygiene (n=521)	4.5 (0.6)
Decreased salivary function (n=518)	4.5 (0.8)
Commitment to return for follow-up (n=519)	4.1 (0.8)
One or more active caries (n=523)	4.1 (0.9)
Current diet (n=523)	3.9 (0.9)
Dentist's subjective assessment (n=523)	3.9 (0.9)
Recent caries (n=522)	3.8 (0.8)
Patients understanding of caries progression (n=521)	3.8 (0.8)
Presence of dental appliances (n=520)	3.7 (0.9)
Presence of several large restorations (n=522)	3.6 (0.9)
Recession of root exposure (n=507)	3.6 (0.9)
Current use of fluorides (n=522)	3.4 (0.9)
Age of patient (n=520)	3.3 (0.9)
Socioeconomic status (n=520)	2.7 (1.0)

Network dentists rated these risk factors that were preceded with the following question: How important is each of the factors below when you decide on a treatment plan? Scoring: 1=not at all important, 2=slightly important, 3=moderately important, 4=very important, 5=extremely important.