| MIDDLE CHILDHOOD • 5–10 YEARS |
Health
professionals should select the information in this section that is most
appropriate, using clinical judgment to
decide what is timely and relevant for
each individual child and family.
Family Preparation
To help prepare families for oral health supervision visits, health professionals can provide parents with a list of topics to discuss at the next visit. As the child becomes more mature, ask the child questions directly. Topics may include the following:
- Changes in the teeth and the mouth
- Oral hygiene practices (frequency, problems)
- Use of fluoridated water for drinking or cooking
- Fluoride use (fluoridated toothpaste, fluoride supplements)
- Dental sealant use
- Eating practices
- Non-nutritive sucking (pacifier, thumb, finger)
- Illnesses or infections
- Medications
- Physical activity and sport participation
- Injuries to the teeth or the mouth
- Use of tobacco by parents or child