The final step in the risk-assessment and anticipatory-guidance process is determining the recall interval. The interval is dependent upon each individual child's risk level. Scheduling a routine dental visit every 6 months is not an effective method for setting recall intervals. For example, a child with poor oral hygiene and white spot lesions might be scheduled to come back after just a few weeks. On the other hand, a 1-year-old with no measurable risk factors might not need to be seen again until age 3.

If an oral health professional is concerned about a parent's commitment to the child's oral health or ability to provide oral hygiene and would like to reinforce positive behaviors and demonstrate outcomes, it can be desirable to make the period between dental visits relatively short.

Dentists must weigh reimbursement for services against the frequency of visits. Some dentists stagger return visits so that follow-up risk assessment can be done in conjunction with a sibling's visit.

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