Establishing a Dental Home

This chapter approaches the dental home from the patient management perspective. It presents the technical aspects of examining and managing a one-year-old child, the recommended age to establish a dental home. The management of a one- year-old presents the clinician with entirely different circumstances as compared to older children. A major goal of the dental home concept is the prevention of early childhood caries (ECC). Although not yet substantiated by research, researchers and clinicians state that the benefits of the dental home are substantial and intuitive with an increasing emphasis on disease prevention and management, advancements in tailoring care to meet individual needs, and better health outcomes. An important suggestion made by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) members is on the education and training of general dentists, as well as dental students and residents, about infant oral health care and the establishment of a dental home.

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Behavior Management in Dentistry for Children, Second Edition