Targeting of the year one dental visit for United States children

S M Hashim Nainar1, L H Straffon

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Restorative Sciences and Endodontics, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, USA. nainar@umich.edu

Insights

The first dental visit by age one is recommended for all low-income children. For middle-to-high income infants, it

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Establishing early dental care habits is crucial for children's oral health.
  • Socioeconomic status significantly impacts access to and utilization of dental services.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate current evidence on the optimal timing for the first dental visit in US children.
  • To provide guidance on first dental visit recommendations based on socioeconomic factors.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of existing literature.
  • Analysis of studies focusing on the timing of initial pediatric dental appointments.

Main Results:

  • A "Year One" dental visit is strongly indicated for all children from low socioeconomic backgrounds.
  • For infants from middle-to-high socioeconomic status, the first visit is considered elective, barring specific high-risk groups for dental caries.

Conclusions:

  • The timing of the first dental visit should be tailored to socioeconomic status and individual caries risk.
  • Public health initiatives may need to prioritize early dental access for underserved populations.

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