special patient life stages

child dental visits allows

• provider to establish rapport, provide appropriate education, administer preventive therapy, continued relationship throughout lifespan

• the child to learn the importance of professional dental care and to establish positive dental habits through the lifespan

components of dental visits for infants and toddlers

• medical history

• caries risk assessment

• discuss early childhood caries risks

• positioning

• management considerations

appropriate interventions for children include

• nutritional counseling

• home care instruction

• establishment of habits

• safety practices

provider accessibility barrier

• location/transportation/appointment availability/ office hours

• not enough dentists who specialize in children especially difficult cases (behavior, extensive needs)

financial barrier

parents not prioritizing funds for dental care

language barrier

• dentist and parent do not speak same language, child should NOT be asked to translate

toddlers (1-3) age appropriate patient management

• consider and evaluate tooth eruption patterns

• later age dental visits may include restorative and emergency care

• use child-friendly terms to prevent fear and anxiety

• conduct through oral and physical exam (identify and report suspected abuse)

• always explain prior to doing- tell show do and involve caregiver as indicated

preschooler (3-5) age appropriate patient management

• use the term “happy visit” - avoid negative words such as sharp, shot, hurt

• discuss with parents - dental experience, fear, milestones, temperament

• modify chair- remove head rest and ask patient to slide up

• best if parent is not present if feasible

school age (6-11) age appropriate patient management

• allow for more patient participation in appointment

• ask parent to remain in reception room

• consider challenges of mixed dentition

• assess periodontium

• address with patient more independence- more skills for homecare

  • note there is less parental supervision with decision making (food, safety habits) which may impact condition of oral cavity

• use positive communication- suggest, advise, highlight positives

• perform come care instructions and let patient demonstrate ability

adolescent (11-18) age appropriate patient management

• permanent dentition- help patient understand that oral healthcare affects oral health throughout lifetime

• lots of physical and psychological changes are taking place

• appearance is important- use this as motivation

• psychosocial development continues- environment affects all aspects identify