The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recognizes infant oral care, along with perinatal oral health is one of the foundations upon which preventive education and dental care must be built to enhance the opportunity for a lifetime free from preventable disease.1 The goals of infant oral care is to decrease the possibility for the child to experience Early Childhood Caries (ECC), decrease the possibility of harmful bacteria that can cause periodontal disease and caries, manage the risk of habits the child acquires, and most importantly, identify a dental home where a child can be seen to focus their care in the preventive treatment and referral service to optimize their oral health.
Dentists are somewhat reluctant to treat children under the age of 3. Most of the concerns rely on the lack of ability to manage the behavioral aspect of the child, knowledge of preventive opportunities and the concern whether the treatment rendered will be reimbursed.
