The following is an excerpt from Well-Child Health Care: Making It Happen.
Dental Screening and Examination:
Well-Child Health Care Fact Sheet
What is Dental Screening?
What is the Dental Examination?
What Might I Observe?
Follow-Up to Dental Screening
What is dental screening?
Dental screening is a quick check of a child's mouth to find out if she needs a prompt exam and treatment. It can be done by a dental professional or trained Head Start staff or volunteer. Whether or not it is done, all Head Start children need a complete dental examination.
What is the dental examination?
The dental examination is a full checkup by a dental professional.
It includes:
- Discussion of diet, toothbrushing, use of
bottles, and thumb-sucking.
- Exam of the mouth for tooth decay, bite,
and gum infections. Dental equipment such as mouth mirrors, dental
picks, and high intensity lights are used. X-rays may be taken.
- Information on good oral hygiene and
nutrition.
- Fluoride may be applied to the child's teeth and/or prescribed in liquid or tablets to prevent tooth decay.
What might I observe?
- Mouth pain and sensitivity to hot, cold,
or sweets
- Discolored, broken, or missing teeth
- Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
- Swollen face
- Bad breath
Follow-up to dental screening
If dental problems are found, the child needs follow-up evaluation and treatment by a dentist.
Treatment might include:
- Filling cavities, capping, or pulling
teeth
- Education on improved diet, bottle use,
tooth brushing, flossing, and fluoride
- Referral to an orthodontist or other specialist
Dental problems can cause pain and difficulty eating and speaking. Treatment for dental problems can improve a child's health and well-being.
