Response to Edelstein: policy issues in early childhood caries

This paper is a response to Dr Edelstein's paper on policy related to early childhood caries (ECC) and makes specific recommendations for policy that would have impact on ECC. The review by Dr Edelstein shows that currently there is little policy addressing the problems of ECC. The following specific policy suggestions are made: 1) Health Care Finance Administration should require the same accountability for well child dental checkups as they do for well child medical checkups; 2) The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children should include an oral health component in the physical evaluation visit; 3) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should set up a surveillance system for ECC; 4) continuing education courses should offer classes to health care workers in infant oral health; and 5) research must be aimed at practical preventive and treatment modalities.