The nurse is teaching a group of new parents about oral hygiene for their children. One of the parents asks, "When should I take my child to the dentist?" What would be the best response from the nurse?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The recommendation from pediatric professional organizations, including the American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and Canadian Dental Association, is that children have their first dental visit within 6 months of first tooth eruption or by their first birthday (Option C). A child's first tooth usually erupts around age 6 months, and the child should be seen by a dentist soon after. The purposes of the first visit include: Assessing risk for dental disease Providing dental care and treatment of dental caries Providing anticipatory guidance about dental hygiene, fluoride, diet and dietary habits, and non-nutritive sucking Establishing care with a licensed dentist and scheduling future visits Taking a child to the dentist at an early age also helps the child become accustomed to the dentist's office, oral examinations, and dental care. (Option A) Children should have their first dental visit by their first birthday. (Option B) Most children have all of their primary teeth by age 2 or 3. Dental care is needed at a much earlier age. (Option D) Most children start preschool around age 4. A routine of regular dental visits and care needs to be established at an earlier age. Educational objective: Regular visits to the dentist, starting within 6 months of first tooth eruption or by the first birthday, are recommended by pediatric professional organizations. Early assessment, dental care, anticipatory guidance, and education about periodontal disease prevention facilitate good oral health for children.

The Nurse Is Teaching a Group of New Parents About