Head Start

When should a child first visit the dentist, and how often after that should appointments be scheduled?

Children should visit a dentist for the first time within 6 months after their first primary tooth appears and no later than age 12 months. After that, the dentist will recommend a schedule for dental visits. How often the child needs to visit the dentist depends on the child's needs and risk for oral disease.

This policy for the timing of the first dental visit is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatrics. But, according to federal Medicaid program guidelines, states are required to develop their own dental periodicity schedules after appropriate consultation with dental groups involved in child health care. Or, states may adopt a nationally recognized dental periodicity schedule. So states may vary in their periodicity schedules and coverage of children by age. Public or private insurance coverage for dental visits is not always related to need for oral health care.

Performance Standards

1304.3(a)(1)(i)

1304.20(a)(1)(ii)

References

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Council on Clinical Affairs. 2003. Clinical guidelines on periodicity of examination, preventive dental services, anticipatory guidance and oral treatment for children. Pediatric Dentistry Reference Manual.

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, College of Diplomates of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. 2004. Guidelines on infant oral health care. Pediatric Dentistry 26(7):67-70.

American Academy of Pediatrics. 1997. Scope of health care benefits for newborns, infants, children, adolescents, and young adults through age 21 years. Pediatrics 10(6):1040-1041.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 2004. Guide to Children's Dental Care in Medicaid. pp. 4, 8. Baltimore, MD: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. [n.d.] State Medicaid Manual.

Nowak AJ, Casamassimo PS. 2002. The dental home: A primary care oral health concept. Journal of the American Dental Association 133(1):93-98.

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	Library Publications MCHB-Funded Projects Grants Administration TOHSS Head Start Alert Newsletter FAQs Links Bright Futures Toolbox Electronic Lists & Newsletters Links About Us FAQs Contact	A⁺ a^- Head Start When should a child first visit the dentist, and how often after that should appointments be scheduled? Children should visit a dentist for the first time within 6 months after their first primary tooth appears and no later than age 12 months. After that, the dentist will recommend a schedule for dental visits. How often the child needs to visit the dentist depends on the child's needs and risk for oral disease. This policy for the timing of the first dental visit is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatrics. But, according to federal Medicaid program guidelines, states are required to develop their own dental periodicity schedules after appropriate consultation with dental groups involved in child health care. Or, states may adopt a nationally recognized dental periodicity schedule. So states may vary in their periodicity schedules and coverage of children by age. Public or private insurance coverage for dental visits is not always related to need for oral health care. Performance Standards 1304.3(a)(1)(i) 1304.20(a)(1)(ii) References American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Council on Clinical Affairs. 2003. Clinical guidelines on periodicity of examination, preventive dental services, anticipatory guidance and oral treatment for children. Pediatric Dentistry Reference Manual. American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, College of Diplomates of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. 2004. Guidelines on infant oral health care. Pediatric Dentistry 26(7):67-70. American Academy of Pediatrics. 1997. Scope of health care benefits for newborns, infants, children, adolescents, and young adults through age 21 years. Pediatrics 10(6):1040-1041. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 2004. Guide to Children's Dental Care in Medicaid. pp. 4, 8. Baltimore, MD: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. [n.d.] State Medicaid Manual. Nowak AJ, Casamassimo PS. 2002. The dental home: A primary care oral health concept. Journal of the American Dental Association 133(1):93-98. Share \|
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