Tooth decay (dental caries) — DVA SoP factors

At least one of the following factors must exist before it can be said that, on the balance of probabilities, tooth decay (dental caries) or death from tooth decay (dental caries) is connected with the circumstances of a person's relevant service:

1. (1)
   having tooth wear involving the affected tooth for at least the 3 months before clinical onset;
2. (2)
   having loss of gum tissue from the base of the affected tooth, with exposure of the root surface (gingival recession), for at least the 3 months before clinical onset of root surface caries;
3. (3)
   having a course of therapeutic radiation to the head or neck, where the affected tooth was in the field of radiation, within the 2 years before clinical onset or clinical worsening;
4. (4)
   having dry mouth resulting from severely reduced saliva flow (xerostomia) for a continuous period of at least 3 months, within the 2 years before clinical onset or clinical worsening;

   Note: Xerostomia can result from surgery, Sjögren syndrome, or a wide variety of drugs, including anticholinergics, tricyclic antidepressants and amphetamines.

5. (5)
   inability to obtain therapeutic exposure to fluoride to the teeth in at least one of the following forms: (a) fluoridated drinking water with a fluoride concentration of at least 0.5 milligrams per litre; (b) fluoridated toothpaste with a fluoride concentration of at least 1,000 parts per million; (c) liquid, tablet or lozenge formulation; on more days than not for a continuous period of at least 1 year, within the 5 years before clinical onset or clinical worsening;
6. (6)
   consuming foods, beverages or other products containing sugar or processed starch: (a) continuously over a period of at least 6 hours per day; or (b) on at least 10 separate occasions per day with more than 30 minutes between exposures; and for a continuous period of at least 3 months, within the 2 years before clinical onset or clinical worsening;
7. (7)
   having smoked at least 6 pack-years before clinical onset or clinical worsening, and where smoking has ceased, clinical onset or clinical worsening occurred within 5 years of cessation;

   Note: one pack-year is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

8. (8)
   the use of chewing tobacco: (a) on more days than not; and (b) for at least 10 years before clinical onset or clinical worsening; and where the use of chewing tobacco has ceased, clinical onset or clinical worsening occurred within 5 years of cessation;
9. (9)
   inability to perform effective personal cleaning of the affected tooth for a continuous period of at least 3 months, within the 2 years before clinical onset or clinical worsening;

   Note: Examples of circumstances where there can be an inability to perform effective personal cleaning of the affected tooth include active combat, the presence of a physical disability or a severe mental disability affecting self-care, and the presence of a fixed orthodontic appliance.

10. (10)
    inability to access preventive professional dental care at least every 15 months, within the 5 years before clinical onset or clinical worsening;
11. (11)
    inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for tooth decay (dental caries) before clinical worsening;