Sharing early preventive oral health with medical colleagues: a dental pain prevention strategy.

Abstract

An alarming number of children suffer from preventable dental pain and infections. Untreated caries may cause severe discomfort and grave systemic problems. Using this article as a curriculum of fundamentals, all dental professionals are encouraged to share current best practice oral health prevention strategies with their local community medical providers. Subject matter includes rudimentary pathophysiology, very early oral health risk assessment, anticipatory guidance, fluoride varnish, and establishing a dental home by age 1.