With school underway, don’t forget dental checkups
9/22/2011
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., (Sept. 22, 2011) — Now that the school supplies have been purchased, the fall clothes picked out, and immunizations scheduled, parents might be thinking that their back-to-school checklist is complete. Not yet, according to Delta Dental.
“A dental checkup should be part of a child’s back-to-school routine and now with school well underway, it’s still not too late to schedule an appointment,” states Dr. Jesus Galvan, chief dental officer of Delta Dental of New Mexico. “Despite great advances, dental decay is one of the most common childhood diseases, with more than half of children ages 5 to 9 having had at least one cavity or filling.”
“We recommend a child’s first visit to the dentist around their first birthday, but definitely advise that children have their first dental appointment before they begin pre-school,” Galvan adds.
The most important goal of early childhood dental visits is to introduce a child to a dental office and develop trust and familiarity. Parents can avoid initiating fear by reassuring their child that the visit will be fun. Avoid phrases such as “Be brave!” or “Don’t be afraid.”
“Remember, you are trying to establish a ‘dental home’ for your child,” Dr. Galvan states. “This means that your child’s oral health care is delivered in a way that is comprehensive and family centered, always keeping in mind what’s in the best interest of the child.”
Dr. Galvan also recommends that children brush at least twice daily with an age-appropriate toothbrush and begin flossing, with parental supervision, when all baby teeth have grown in. Parents also need to remember to replace toothbrushes every three months.
About Delta Dental of New Mexico
Delta Dental of New Mexico and its affiliates in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee collectively are among the largest dental plan administrators in the nation. In 2010, the enterprise paid out more than $2 billion for dental care for nearly 8 million enrollees. Its office is located in Albuquerque, N.M.