When is it time for the first dental visit? How old does my child need to be? My child doesn't even have teeth yet?
There is often confusion around this subject. When should a child be seen for the first dental visit? Here is the recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry:
Recommendations for the infant’s oral health
Oral health risk assessment: Every infant should receive an oral health risk assessment from his/her primary health care provider or qualified health care professional by 6 months of age.This initial assessment should evaluate the patient’s risk of developing oral diseases of soft and hard tissues, including caries-risk assessment, provide education on infant oral health, and evaluate and optimize fluoride exposure.
Establishment of a dental home: Parents should establish a dental home for infants by 12 months of age. The initial visit should include thorough medical (infant) and dental (parent and infant) histories, a thorough oral examination, performance of an age-appropriate tooth brushing demonstration, and prophylaxis and fluoride varnish treatment if indicated.
(Source: http://www.aapd.org/media/Policies_Guidelines/G_InfantOralHealthCare.pdf)
I am a registered and certified First Dental Home provider. We are excited to welcome infants and young children in our practice. The first dental home program gives us a unique opportunity to be proactive in the prevention of dental disease. I believe firmly that it is so much better for your child if we can minimize the risk of caries at a very young age. The first years of life can be formative for the dental health of children. We know that children who suffer from early childhood caries are more likely to suffer from caries during the rest of their lives.
Come and visit with us so we can give you recommendations specific for your loved ones.
Dr. Dietmar Kennel
Owner/Pediatric Dentist
Lubbock KIDS Dental
There is often confusion around this subject. When should a child be seen for the first dental visit? Here is the recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry:
Recommendations for the infant’s oral health
Oral health risk assessment: Every infant should receive an oral health risk assessment from his/her primary health care provider or qualified health care professional by 6 months of age.This initial assessment should evaluate the patient’s risk of developing oral diseases of soft and hard tissues, including caries-risk assessment, provide education on infant oral health, and evaluate and optimize fluoride exposure.
Establishment of a dental home: Parents should establish a dental home for infants by 12 months of age. The initial visit should include thorough medical (infant) and dental (parent and infant) histories, a thorough oral examination, performance of an age-appropriate tooth brushing demonstration, and prophylaxis and fluoride varnish treatment if indicated.
(Source: http://www.aapd.org/media/Policies_Guidelines/G_InfantOralHealthCare.pdf)
I am a registered and certified First Dental Home provider. We are excited to welcome infants and young children in our practice. The first dental home program gives us a unique opportunity to be proactive in the prevention of dental disease. I believe firmly that it is so much better for your child if we can minimize the risk of caries at a very young age. The first years of life can be formative for the dental health of children. We know that children who suffer from early childhood caries are more likely to suffer from caries during the rest of their lives.
Come and visit with us so we can give you recommendations specific for your loved ones.
Dr. Dietmar Kennel
Owner/Pediatric Dentist
Lubbock KIDS Dental
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