CRAFT

CRAFT (Caries Risk Assessment For Treatment) is a simple, noninvasive, four-point scale proposed for the prevention and management of caries based on risk assessment in Indian context. For ascertaining the caries-risk in children, parents can be interviewed using the CRAFT questionnaire. CRAFT can be used as either a physical or a digital tool (Android application).
The CRAFT tool uses a questionnaire that includes different parameters under four domains: Diet, Decay status, Fluoride exposure and Other factors. Based on the available information, caries-risk can be determined which ranges form Very low/No, Low, Moderate, High. A green star is used to indicate ‘safety’ while a red star for ‘risk’.
CRAFT Developments
Following are a few significant developments related to the CRAFT over the last 6 years.
1. CRAFT was conceptualized in 2016 by Dr Ashwin Jawdekar; the first presentation of it was made at the 13th National Post Graduate Convention of the Indian Society of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry (ISPPD) where the presenter Dr Rinky Thakkar won first prize for the same.
2. Dental Council of India adopted CRAFT for consideration after a meeting (DCI WORKSHOP: FIRST DECADE NO DECAY) in February 2018.
3. At the International Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (IAPD) Global Summit on ECC at Bangkok (2018), Dr Ashwin Jawdekar won an award in a presentation on his work on CRAFT.
4. A study reporting the association of CRAFT and Alban test is reported by Thakur, et al. (2020) showing positive results of association.
5. Another study showed a significant association between caries risk assessed using CRAFT Categorization and OHRQoL of 3-6 year-old Children, reported by Iyer, Jawdekar (2021).
6. Several studies based on CRAFT are presented at the national conferences of Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry over the past 6 years.
Dentists can use CRAFT to
1. Understand the caries risk of a child
2. Make preventive recommendations to parents.
3. Devise a treatment plan which includes minimally invasive, restorativeand surgical options.
The Android app auto-selects the recommendations (for parents as well as dentists) corresponding to each domain based on the risk assessed. A treatment plan with the use of minimum interventional, restorative and surgical approaches can thus be available for each CRAFT risk category.
CRAFT approach allows a dentist to customize a plan with a framework for enhanced patient-participation and behavior-change. On a periodic basis, the CRAFT further allows a dentist to monitor changes in the caries risk and effectiveness of recommended home and office measures, and treatments.