Encouraging parents and caregivers to prioritize oral hygiene is an important way for you to help prevent oral disease in children. In a few minutes during a well-child visit, you can educate families about nutrition, preventing saliva transfer from parent to child, good brushing habits, and the need to establish a dental home where families can find routine preventive care.

Here are a few suggestions for things you may want to address with families:

• Talk to caregivers about the importance of oral health care, including age-appropriate brushing habits, early detection of decay, and good nutrition
• When talking to families, be aware of their attitudes toward dental care and address any questions or concerns they may have about caring for their child’s oral health
• Keep messages clear, short, and simple
• Use a variety of methods to help parents learn about oral heath and get the skills they need to prevent dental disease.  Exam room posters, picture handouts, and hands-on demonstrations are all effective ways to communicate your message
• Encourage parents to take an active role in caring for their child’s teeth at all stages—even before the first tooth erupts
• Inspire parents to model good oral health practices like brushing their teeth twice a day, flossing once a day, visiting a dentist regularly, and eating healthy foods

For information on helping your patients find a dentist, please click here.

Talk to parents about oral health and put your patients on the path toward healthy smiles for a lifetime.