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Frequently
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The following
is a compilation of oral health questions that Head Start
program staff ask frequently. Citations of relevant Head Start
Program Performance Standards and references are included.
Glossary
Children with Special Health Care Needs
Are
there special aids to make it easier for parents and caregivers to
clean the teeth and gums of children with special health care needs?
Are
there ways to position children with special health care needs
to make it easier for a parent or caregiver to effectively
brush the child's teeth?
What
oral health issues and challenges do children with special health
care needs commonly face?
Dental
Home/Dental Visits
What
is a dental home?
When
should a child first visit the dentist, and how often after that
should appointments be scheduled?
What
can Head Start staff do to prepare children for their first dental
visit?
Dental Hygienists
What
is the role of dental hygienists in Head Start programs?
Dental Insurance/Medicaid
If
the Head Start program cannot find a dentist who participates in Medicaid,
can the program pay for treatment with Head Start program funds?
What
can be done to help families who lack dental insurance and cannot
afford to pay for their child's oral health care?
Fluoride
How
should Head Start programs comply with state pharmacy regulations
that require an individualized prescription for each child for fluoride
supplements?
Should
infants and children receive fluoride supplements to prevent
tooth decay?
Should Head Start staff use
fluoridated toothpaste to brush the teeth of children ages 2
and over?
Should
children under age 2 have their teeth brushed with fluoridated
toothpaste?
What
causes white spots on children's teeth?
What
is fluoride varnish and how is it applied?
What
is fluorosis?
Infection Control
Should
staff wear gloves when they brush children’s teeth?
If they wear gloves, should staff discard the gloves after
assisting
each child?
Injury
How
can oral injuries be prevented?
What
should be included in an oral health first aid kit?
What
should Head Start staff do if a child experiences an oral injury?
Nutrition
Can
foods high in sugar cause tooth decay?
Oral Development
What
are the symptoms of teething? What can be done to ease the soreness
of teething?
Oral Examination
How
should Head Start programs document children's oral examinations and
progress in completing needed follow-up care?
Oral Hygiene
At
what age should parents begin to floss their child's teeth? How
often should the teeth be flossed?
Does
toothbrushing in a group promote good oral hygiene practices?
How
can cross-contamination be prevented when dispensing toothpaste
to children in a group setting?
Should
infants under age 1 receive regular oral hygiene?
When
children take medicine, can it be harmful to their teeth?
Pregnancy
Is
it important and safe for women to receive oral health care during
pregnancy?
What
is pregnancy gingivitis? How can it be prevented or controlled?
Primary Teeth
Why
is it important to care for primary teeth when they will be replaced
by permanent
teeth?
Toothbrush Storage/Toothbrushing
Can
young children brush their teeth effectively?
How can adults encourage
infants and young children to cooperate with
toothbrushing?
How
should toothbrushes be stored?
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