Caries risk assessment, prevention, and management in pediatric dental care
Ramos-Gomez, F.; Crystal, Y.O.; Ng, M.Wai.; Tinanoff, N.; Featherstone, J.D.
General Dentistry 58(6): 505
2010
ISSN/ISBN: 0363-6771 PMID: 21062720 Document Number: 639350
The recent increase in the prevalence of dental caries among young children has highlighted the need for a new approach to prevent caries in children at a younger age. New disease prevention management models call for children to have their first visit to the dentist at age 1 or when their first tooth erupts. This article addresses early childhood caries risk assessment, prevention, and management strategies in young children using the concept of the "dental home" and a simple six-step protocol to conduct an effective and comprehensive infant oral care visit.