The February 2003 issue of the Journal of the California Dental Association is part one of a two part series focusing on the restoration and prevention of caries.

Cariology in the New World Order: Moving From Restoration Toward Prevention
An introduction to the issue.
John D.B. Featherstone, MSc, PhD, and Jon R. Roth, CAE

California Children and Oral Health: Trends and Challenges
New strategies are needed to reduce the risk of dental disease in California children and to expand access to effective services.
James J. Crall, DDS, ScD

The Caries Balance: Contributing Factors and Early Detection
Dental health is a balance between factors that demineralize and remineralize teeth.
John D.B. Featherstone, MSc, PhD

Acquisition and Transmission of Mutans Streptococci
Studies indicate that mutans streptococci can colonize the mouths of predentate infants and that horizontal, as well as vertical, transmission occurs.
Robert J. Berkowitz, DDS

Early Childhood Caries: An Overview With Reference to Our Experience in California
Early childhood caries can affect children from all socioeconomic classes but is most often found in children of new immigrants or those with lower socioeconomic status, and treatment is expensive.
Pamela DenBesten, DDS, and Robert Berkowitz, DDS

The Role of Caries Prevention Protocols in Pediatric Dentistry Specialty Programs
The training of pediatric dental residents in caries risk assessment and prevention must be strengthened.
Steven M. Adair, DDS, MS

Dental Disease Prevention and People With Special Needs
Community-based systems to improve oral health for people with special needs have not been as successful as they might be because of lack of effective preventive protocols specifically designed for people with special needs.
Paul Glassman, DDS, MA, MBA, and Christine Miller, RDH, MSH, MA

Using the Enclosed Educational DVD