<![CDATA[Dental caries remains a significant oral health concern among young adults, including dental students, despite their exposure to preventive oral health knowledge. This study aimed to examine factors associated with caries experience and describe caries risk using a modified Cariogram approach among dental students at Universitas Prima Indonesia in 2026. An analytical observational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted from April to June 2026, involving 50 students. Data were collected through clinical examinations using the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index, salivary pH measurements using test strips, and dietary questionnaires. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 25, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Most participants were classified as having a high risk of dental caries. Toothbrushing frequency was significantly associated with DMFT scores (p = 0.007), and salivary pH also demonstrated a significant association with caries experience. The plaque index was reported to be associated with caries experience, whereas sugar consumption patterns and fluoride use showed no significant associations. These findings emphasize the importance of oral hygiene behaviors and salivary conditions within a multifactorial caries risk assessment framework. The study concludes that individualized caries risk assessment may inform preventive education among dental students, although longitudinal research is needed to establish temporal relationships and validate the predictive performance of the modified Cariogram approach.]]>
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