Perspective Chapter: Dental Home – A Neglected Primary Oral Health Care Concept

Abstract

Tooth decay, if left untreated even in the earliest stages of life, can have serious implications for a child’s long-term health and well-being. Early preventive care is a sound health and economic investment. Dental assessments and evaluations for children during their first year of life have been recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the American Association of Pediatrics (ADA). Establishment of dental home and use of anticipatory guidance is one of the concepts in comprehensive oral health care. AAPD and ADA support the concept of a “dental home,” which is the ongoing relationship between the dentist and the patient. Establishing a dental home means that a child’s oral health care is managed in a comprehensive, continuously accessible, coordinated, and family-centered way by a licensed dentist. The dental professional’s ability to provide optimal oral health care, beginning from when the child is 1-year-old, dental visit leading to preventive care and treatment as part of an overall oral health care foundation for life, is enhanced by dental home. The establishment of the dental home also assures appropriate referral to dental specialists when availability of direct care is not possible within the dental home.