[Dental caries as chronic disease, a new therapeutic approach].

For many decades, oral health has been improving considerably in France. Caries indicators have decreased strongly. However, some "high risk" populations accumulate the majority of tooth decay. For them, health education and public health policies are inefficient. Tooth decay starts early and continues throughout their lives. Describing dental caries as a chronic pathology enables us to envisage alternative therapies, such as therapeutic patient education.