Implications of child development on the practice of oral care

Of all patient groups, children represent perhaps the most challenging in the preventive dental practice. While technical skills must be excellent, the interpersonal skills of the clinician are also paramount to successful pediatric dentistry and are affected by where children are in their development. This article reviews the developmental stages that children experience and how age characteristics can be predictors of the dental professional's approach to ensure successful, long-term oral health care.