Title : Silent struggles: Shedding light on oral myofunctional challenges in little ones
Abstract:
In recent years, dentistry’s focus has been on sleep, airway and myofunctional therapy. There is one group that has been left to the wayside; the infant and toddler population. Dental professionals were not fully trained on caring for this age group. We are missing a big link to future problems by waiting on seeing these children. The future of the dental field and oral health is early disease prevention without picking up a scaler.
Audience Take Away:
- Examine the ADA recommendations that the first dental visit should occur within six months after the baby's first tooth appears, but no later than the child's first birthday.
- Define the RDH's role in seeing patients starting as infants and what to look for.
- Describe what early intervention in a dental office could look like.