infant oral health, the goals of the program and the role of the dentist in providing care to an infant.

1. INFANT ORTAL HEALTH
By definition, infant oral health care can be understood as the foundation on which a life time of preventive education and dental care can be built up in order to
help acquire optimal oral health into child and adulthood.
GOALS OF INFANT ORAL HEALTH CARE PROGRAM
-To identify, intercept and modify the potentially harmful parenting practices that may adversely affect the infant’s oral health.
-Parent education right from the prenatal period highlighting the importance of their role in the prevention of dental diseases for their child.
-Parents/caregiver orientation to perceive dental services as an integral part of infant’s overall health program.
- Periodic evaluation of the orofacial development and oral health by the clinician.
Role of Dentist for Providing Care to an Infant
Dentist as a source
of valuable information
Importance of weaning
Early Childhood Caries
Gumpads
AGE TEETH ERUPTED
6-10 months Bottom front
teeth, then top
front or side
bottom front
teeth
9-13 months Top front teeth
13-19 months First molars then
canines, then
second molars
2½-3 years All the teeth
Feeding practices
Breast feeding
Advantages:
Ideal composition of infants needs
No equipment needed to sterilize
Contains anti-infective factors
(IgA,IgG,IgM,opsonins,PABA).
Psychological advantage to mother and child
Easily digestible and confers passive immunity.
Weaning is the process of expanding the diet to include foods
& drinks other than breast milk/milk formulae.
For ease, weaning can be divided into three stages:-
Stage 1: 4-6 months.
Stage 2: 6-9 months.
Stage 3: 9-12 months.
The cleaning of gumpads can be started
as early as within the first week of birth.
Take a small gauge(2”x2”) between thumb
and forefinger.
Wipe vigorously over the ridge areas.
Spend at least 2-3 mins. in cleaning.
Clean atleast twice (after morning & last
feed in night).
Digit/ Pacifier Habit
DENTAL HOME
Arthur Nowak gave the concept of Dental Home
Definition: The Dental Home is the ongoing
relationship between the dentist and the patient, inclusive of all
aspects of oral health care delivered in a comprehensive,
continuously accessible, coordinated and family-centered way.
ANTICIPATORY GUIDANCE
Proactive counseling of parents and patients about developmental changes that will
occuring the interval between health supervision visits that includes information
about daily caretaking specific to that upcoming interval.(Nowak, 1995)
Begins with prenatal visit.
Mother referred for Rx of active caries& periodontal diseases.
Screening & assessment of caries risk.
Restricts simple sugars at meal time and limits no. of snacks.
Fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash.
Regular tooth-brushing and flossing.
PRENATAL COUNSELLING
Purpose:--
1. To educate parents about dental development.
2. To educate parents about the dental disease sand prevention.
3. To provide a suitable environment for the child.
4. To strengthen & prepare the child & dentition for life.
Teething refers to the eruption of a child's
first set of teeth, typically arriving in pairs.
Teething
Fluoride Adequacy
~Begins at 6 months.
~0.7 to 1.2 ppm in water.