title: Oral health promotion in children and adolescents.
abstract: One of the primary goals of dental health professionals is to prevent disease in our patients. As our knowledge of the disease process improves, so does our ability to manage the consequences of disease. Oral diseases, such as dental caries, can be devastating to both children and adolescents. Dental caries may interfere with a child's ability to eat, sleep, and learn, and it can have a significant impact on their self-esteem. Because caries affects individuals disproportionately, it is essential that those at the highest risk are identified early so that preventive therapies can be targeted toward those who are most likely to benefit. This article discusses the consequences of oral diseases in school-aged children, the factors that contribute to an individual's risk for dental caries, and the most effective therapies to prevent caries in this age group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Slayton
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019140:Dental Care for Children; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control; D003733:Dental Caries Susceptibility; D019988:Children with Disabilities; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000517:prevention & control; D006267:Health Education, Dental; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018570:Risk Assessment
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants; D005459:Fluorides