First tooth, first visit, zero cavities: a practical approach to the infant oral health visit

Précis

Get it done in year one! A practical approach to an infant oral health visit is presented to encourage commencement of oral healthcare at this important age.

Abstract

The IDA adopted a formal policy on children’s oral health in 2011. There is increasing evidence to support early dental visits for children. The background to the infant oral health visit is discussed and a systematic approach to the practicalities of the visit is offered. General dental practitioners are encouraged to offer the first oral health visit before the first birthday, and this paper aims to give them practical advice concerning this visit. The feature is accompanied by a companion paper that reviews the literature pertaining to the topic, and serves to complement the recent clinical feature published in the Journal of the Irish Dental Association.

Journal of the Irish Dental Association 2017; 63 (2): 99-104.

Dr Kirsten FitzGerald
BDentSc MS (Texas) FFD (RCSI)
Consultant Paediatric Dental Surgeon, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, and Dublin Dental University Hospital

Dr Eleanor McGovern
BDS MFD MDentCh (Paediatric Dentistry)
Consultant Paediatric Dental Surgeon, The Children’s University Hospital, Temple Street

Dr Aifric Ní Chaollaí
BA BDentSC MDentSc (Leeds) MPaedDent (RCPSG)
Paediatric Dentist at Dental Care Ireland, Cabinteely and the Northbrook Clinic, Ranelagh

Dr Brett Duane
BDS MAM (Health) MPH PHD
Associate Professor, Dental Public Health, Dublin Dental University Hospital

Corresponding author: Dr Kirsten FitzGerald, Dental Department, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin
E: kirsten.fitzgerald@olchc.ie T: 01-409 6549