The American Academy of Pediatrics
has developed a concept it calls the “medical home.” The idea is to create one
place to deliver and coordinate care for infants, children and adolescents.
Similarly, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) supports the
establishment of a “dental home,” a place where all aspects of oral health that
result from the interaction of the patient, parents, non-dental professionals
(such as pediatricians) and dental professionals can be coordinated.
Dental problems can begin early in
your child’s life. One of the most common diseases among infants is early
childhood caries (tooth decay that can lead to cavities), an infectious disease
caused by bacteria. As soon as the first tooth erupts, your child is at risk
for early childhood caries.
A dental home should be established
when your child’s first tooth erupts or when he or she reaches the age of one
year, whichever comes first. Frequently, your child’s pediatrician will tell
you when it is the right time.
An early visit to a pediatric
dentist, before any dental problems have developed, has several benefits:
- The child’s first dental experience will be a positive
one.
- Parents will receive important information about how to
keep their child’s teeth and mouth healthy.
- The dentist can evaluate the child’s oral health and
check for any dental anomalies.
Once your child’s dental home is
established, regularly scheduled checkups let us spot any issues, such as the
first signs of early childhood caries, before they can develop into serious
problems. You can be sure that your child will receive all the appropriate
preventive and prophylactic measures.
Studies have shown that children who
have a dental home are more likely to receive preventive and routine oral
health care. That means both fewer oral health problems and lower overall cost
of treatment—and a better smile for both parent and child.
