COMPONENTS OF ORAL HEALTH SUPERVISION

Measurable Outcomes

The success of oral health supervision can be measured by whether the parent(s), infant, child, or adolescent has achieved certain outcomes. In quality assurance, outcomes are important measurable health indicators that both health professionals and families can identify and track. Outcomes also help oral health professionals determine the necessary periodicity for subsequent visits and help health professionals provide anticipatory guidance. Examples of outcomes are (1) good oral hygiene as measured by a periodic plaque score, (2) the absence of tooth decay, (3) obtaining and using prescribed fluoride, and (4) using a mouth guard during sports.

Referrals

Because infants, children, and adolescents often do not visit an oral health professional on a regular basis, it is critical that other health professionals who have frequent contact with infants, children, and adolescents be able to help prevent or reduce the risk of oral disease, especially tooth decay, and to provide referrals to a dentist for intervention and/or treatment. Conversely, oral health professionals may be the “first line” in assessing the overall health and well-being of infants, children, and adolescents. Oral health professionals can make referrals to other health professionals and can reinforce preventive messages about developmental milestones, nutrition, non-nutritive sucking, injury, and other health issues such as tobacco use.