Risk for dental caries, moderate

This code signifies a patient's elevated susceptibility to developing tooth decay, indicating a moderate level of risk. This risk is determined by various factors that increase the likelihood of demineralization and cavitation of tooth structure.

Apply this code when a dental professional assesses a patient and identifies several risk factors for caries, but not to the extent of high risk. This could include patients with some dietary habits that promote decay, limited fluoride exposure, or early signs of demineralization without cavitation.

• Ensure documentation clearly supports a "moderate" risk level, differentiating it from low or high risk.
• This code is often used in conjunction with codes for specific dental conditions or procedures performed to mitigate this risk.
• Do not use this code if the patient already has active carious lesions; instead, code the specific type and location of the caries.