The journey: from ICDAS to CariesCare International
Developed in the early 2000’s, the ICDAS (International Caries Detection and Assessment System) concept is that the use of a standardised system, based on best available evidence for detecting early and later stage caries severity, should lead to the acquisition of better quality information which could then be used to inform decisions about appropriate diagnosis, prognosis, and clinical management of dental caries at both the individual and public health levels.
This ICDAS guidance later developed into the ICCMS™ (International Caries Classification and Management System™), bringing together the recommendations into a full resource to assist dental professionals in the appropriate assessment of caries with the aim of preventing and arresting lesions and preserving tooth structure. ICCMS™ Publications and e-learning are available open source.

Since 2018, ICCMS™ in practice has been delivered by CariesCare International, a non-profit organisation aimed at providing aid to practitioners to implement the techniques promoted by the ICCMS™.
For more information about ICDAS and ICCMS™ visit the ICCMS™ webpage.
‘Caries Care’ practice guides have been published to aid in the straightforward and effective adoption of the ICCMS™ systems in dental practice. Click the link below for the English and Spanish versions.
ICCMS™ and CariesCare International have created a number of resources for dental professionals, ranging from full guides to single page overviews, which have been translated for use. English versions of these documents can be downloaded here, with further language versions available in our members area.
ICCMS™ Guide for Practitioners and Educators
The aim of the ICCMS™ Guide for Practitioners and Educators is to describe the structure and facilitate the implementation of the International Caries Classification and Management System (ICCMS™), which the authors propose to be used in the daily handling of our patients for caries prevention and management and also in the teaching undertaken at dental schools around the world.
ICCMS™ Quick Reference Guide
The ICCMS™ Quick Reference Guide is an abridged version of the full Guide for Practitioners and Educators, designed to offer an easy to use chairside guide for dental professionals covering the key aspects of the ICCMS™ Caries Management System.
ICCMS™ 4D
The ICCMS™ 4D Guide has been adopted and developed by CariesCare International as a one glance reference guide for dental practitioners.
CariesCare International E-learning
A series of video guides on how to implement CariesCare International and the ‘4D’s’ in your dental practice.