What can health care providers do to help prevent tooth decay in children?
Educate parents on oral health issues such as the importance of baby teeth, first cleaning by first birthday, transmissible nature of cavity-causing bacteria, weaning, frequency of snacking, self-assessment at home, and use of fluoride toothpaste for daily brushing for the entire family.
Educate children about proper oral hygiene, importance of dental check-up, importance of teeth, how they can get cavities, and how to keep their teeth strong.
Recognize signs of early childhood caries and refer to dental providers.
If an infant is assessed to be within one of the following risk groups, he/she should be referred to a dentist as early as 6 months of age and no later than 6 months after the first tooth erupts or 12 months of age (whichever comes first) to establish a dental home:
Children with special health care needs
Children of mothers with high caries rate
Children with demonstrable caries, plaque, demineralization, and/or staining
