title: The hygienist's role in improving children's oral health throughout their development.
abstract: Improving oral hygiene in children is one of the most challenging aspects of the preventive dental practice because their dentition, dexterity, and emotional maturity are simultaneously developing. This article discusses the role of the hygienist in providing oral health care and education in the context of developing preventive care programs that can be tailored to meet the needs of children in different age groups. Particular attention will be given to identifying proven approaches to motivating children and their parents to respond positively to oral health advice and hygiene instruction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Nancy A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: St Onge
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019140:Dental Care for Children; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control; D003756:Dental Hygienists; D004644:Emotions; D015438:Health Behavior; D006267:Health Education, Dental; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009048:Motor Skills; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations