| MIDDLE CHILDHOOD • 5–10 YEARS |
Risk Assessment
Use the risk assessment tables (Dental Caries, Periodontal Disease, Malocclusion, Injury) and Caries-Risk Assessment Tool (CAT) to assess the child’s risk and protective factors for oral health issues.
Screening
Visually inspect the lips, tongue, teeth, gums, inside of the cheeks, and roof of the mouth (see Screening in Components of Oral Health Supervision).
Examination
The child should be seen according to a schedule recommended by the dentist, based on the child’s individual needs and susceptibility to disease.
Anticipatory Guidance
Discuss with Parents (as child becomes more mature, direct discussion toward the child):
Oral Hygiene
- Scheduling a dental visit for the child according to the schedule recommended by the child’s dentist, based on the child’s individual needs or susceptibility to disease.
- For children with special health care needs, making appointments for more frequent dental visits based on the child’s individual needs or susceptibility to disease. Providing more assistance with brushing the child’s teeth, if needed, and obtaining special oral health equipment (e.g., a mouth prop) to complete the task.
- Ensuring that the child brushes his or her teeth twice a day (after breakfast and before bed) with no more than a pea-sized amount (small smear) of fluoridated toothpaste and that the child flosses daily. Making sure the child spits out the toothpaste after brushing but does not rinse with water. The small amount of fluoridated toothpaste that remains in the mouth helps prevent tooth decay. Because effective plaque removal requires good fine motor control, young children cannot clean their teeth without parental help. After children acquire fine motor skills (e.g., the ability to tie their shoelaces), typically by age 7 or 8, they can clean their teeth effectively but should be supervised by a parent.