Children's Oral Health Assessment, Prevention, and Treatment

Pediatr Clin North Am. 2015 Oct;62(5):1215-26. doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2015.05.010. Epub 2015 Jul 26.

Abstract

This article provides a brief introduction to various aspects of oral health care in children, with emphasis on the epidemiology, risk assessment, prevention, and treatment modalities for dental caries. In addition, barriers to dental care and the involvement of pediatricians in advocating for and providing preventive dental care for children are reviewed. Oral health care is one of the most prevalent unmet needs among infants, toddlers, and adolescents in the United States. Routine or preventive dental visits are important for early diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of oral diseases, and for establishing and maintaining good oral health and overall well-being.

Keywords: Dental caries; Pediatricians; Prevention; Risk assessment; Treatment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Dental Caries / prevention & control*
  • Dental Caries / therapy
  • Health Services Accessibility*
  • Health Services Needs and Demand*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Oral Health*
  • Risk Assessment
  • United States