| AAP News
is the official News magazine of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Professional
journalists in consultation with pediatricians on-staff at the AAP produce each
monthly issue. The following AAP News articles
relate to oral health:
Letter
from the President: Academy Helping Pediatricians Address Patients' Oral Health
Eileen M. Ouellette, MD, JD, FAAP, President
AAP News Vol. 27
No. 6 June 2006, p. 6
Traditionally, the assessment and treatment of oral
health problems has not been considered to be the domain of pediatricians, but
that is changing. Since pediatricians see young infants and children frequently
for preventive health care visits, we are in an excellent position to identify
children at risk for dental health problems, coordinate appropriate care and parent
education, and refer affected and high-risk children to pediatric dentists.
Primary
Care Physicians Enlisted to Provide Preventive Dental Services
R. Gary
Rozier, DDS, MPH
A five-year demonstration project launched by the North Carolina
Medicaid program to help reduce high levels of tooth decay in the state's most
vulnerable children has proven successful. Recognizing that low-income children
have substantially better access to medical care than dental care, the demonstration
engaged primary care medical practitioners to provide preventive dental services.
Prevent Early Childhood Caries: Integrate Oral Health Activities Into Routine
Pediatric Care
Suzanne Boulter, MD, and Giusy Romano-Clarke, MD (March
2006)
The integration of oral health activities in routine pediatric
care represents a promising strategy to meet the oral health needs of young children
and prevent this major infectious pediatric disease. An overview of two programs
that have tried to address medical providers' educational needs, including oral
health interventions in well-child visits, and facilitate referrals to dental
providers are highlighted. | 
