• American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Guideline on periodicity of examination, preventive dental services, anticipatory guidance/counseling, and oral treatment for infants, children, and adolescents. Chicago (IL): American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry; 2007. 11 p. [81 references]

This is the current release of the guideline.

It updates a previously published version: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Clinical guideline on periodicity of examination, preventive dental services, anticipatory guidance, and oral treatment for children. Chicago (IL): American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry; 2003. 3 p. [24 references]

An accurate, comprehensive, and up-to-date medical history is necessary for correct diagnosis and effective treatment planning.

Table: Recommendations for Preventive Pediatric Oral Health Care

Since each child is unique, these recommendations are designed for the care of children who have no contributing medical conditions and are developing normally. These recommendations will need to be modified for children with special health care needs or if disease or trauma manifests variations from normal. The AAPD emphasizes the importance of very early professional intervention and the continuity of care based on the individualized needs of the child. Refer to the text of the original guideline document for supporting information and references.

1. First examination at the eruption of the first tooth and no later than 12 months. Repeat every 6 months or as indicated by child's risk status/susceptibility to disease.
2. Includes assessment of pathology and injuries.
3. By clinical examination.
4. Must be repeated regularly and frequently to maximize effectiveness.
5. Timing, selection, and frequency determined by child's history, clinical findings, and susceptibility to oral disease.
6. Consider when systemic fluoride exposure is suboptimal.
7. Up to at least 16 years.
8. Appropriate discussion and counseling should be an integral part of each visit for care.
9. Initially, responsibility of parent; as child develops, jointly with parent; then, when indicated, only child.
10. At every appointment; initially discuss appropriate feeding practices, then the role of refined carbohydrates and frequency of snacking in caries development and childhood obesity.
11. Initially play objects, pacifiers, car seats; then when learning to walk, sports and routine playing, including the importance of mouthguards.
12. At first discuss the need for additional sucking: digits vs. pacifiers; then the need to wean from the habit before malocclusion or skeletal dysplasia occurs. For school-aged children and adolescent patients, counsel regarding any existing habits such as fingernail biting, clenching, or bruxism.
13. For caries-susceptible primary molars, permanent molars, premolars, and anterior teeth with deep pits and fissures; placed as soon as possible after eruption.

None provided

All clinical guidelines are based on 2 sources of evidence: (1) the scientific literature; and (2) experts in the field.

• American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Guideline on periodicity of examination, preventive dental services, anticipatory guidance/counseling, and oral treatment for infants, children, and adolescents. Chicago (IL): American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry; 2007. 11 p. [81 references]

This guideline is in part adapted from related policies and guidelines published by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD).

1991 (revised 2007 Jan)

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry - Professional Association

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

Clinical Affairs Committee

The Council on Clinical Affairs and Council on Scientific Affairs are comprised of pediatric dentists representing the six geographical districts of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) along with additional consultants confirmed by the Board of Trustees.

Council members and consultants were asked to disclose potential conflicts of interest. None was noted.

This is the current release of the guideline.

It updates a previously published version: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Clinical guideline on periodicity of examination, preventive dental services, anticipatory guidance, and oral treatment for children. Chicago (IL): American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry; 2003. 3 p. [24 references]

None available

This NGC summary was completed by ECRI on March 7, 2005. The information was verified by the guideline developer on April 18, 2005. This summary was updated by ECRI Institute on April 3, 2008. The updated information was verified by the guideline developer on April 30, 2008.

This summary is based on the original guideline, which is subject to the guideline developer's copyright restrictions.