Oral Health Initiative

The purpose of this training is to provide a concise overview of how to perform an oral examination and conduct an oral health risk assessment and triage for infants and young children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dental caries are the most prevalent infectious disease among US children. More than 40% of children have tooth decay by the time they reach kindergarten, and more than 52 million hours of school are lost each year because of dental problems, as cited by the US Department of Health and Human Services. Pediatricians can play an important role in children’s oral health outcomes, particularly since they typically see young children early and often. With proper training in how to perform an oral examination and how to conduct an oral health risk assessment, pediatricians and other health care professionals can minimize in children serious health consequences that include a higher risk of new carious lesions, hospitalizations and emergency room visits, delayed or insufficient physical development, loss of school days, and a diminished ability to learn. In addition, a child’s primary care physician is a key resource to families when racial, ethnic, socioeconomic or educational disparities create barriers to the child receiving regular dental care. This training is based on the AAP policy statement, “Oral Health Risk Assessment Timing and Establishment of the Dental Home.” Although general information about oral health disease in children will be presented in the training, the primary focus will be on early childhood dental caries, seen in children aged 0 to 3 years. You should participate in this training if you are a(n):
Primary care pediatrician
Family physician
Resident in pediatrics or family practice
Allied health professional in a pediatric or family practice office (eg, nurse, nurse practitioner, physician assistant
Any health care provider treating children in rural or underserved communities, where pediatric dental care is more restrictedThis training is best viewed with a 5.0 or higher version of Internet Explorer version and a monitor display of at least 800 x 600 pixels. To download a PowerPoint version of this presentation, click here