Optimizing the health of infants and children: their oral health counts!
Tooth decay and poor oral health are the most common chronic health conditions in children in the United States today. This article discusses the significance of dental caries in children, the importance of oral health promotion, barriers to providing and obtaining oral health care, and current recommendations for practice. This article also recommends strategies for the promotion of optimal oral health in children and adolescents through screening, triaging, education, and tracking.
Peterson-Sweeney
Kathleen
K
Department of Nursing, The College at Brockport, State University of New York, Brockport, NY, USA. kpeterso@brockport.edu
Stevens
Joanne
J
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D019140:Dental Care for Children; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008403:Mass Screening; D009909:Oral Health; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology