9
Volume2 Issue8
|
CDA
at
W
ork
FIRSTVISIT,
FIRSTTOOTH
Continuing EducationResource Launched by CDA
Dr.MitchTaillon
Chairof theCDA
AccesstoCare
WorkingGroup
Anew
FirstVisit,FirstTooth
continuingeducationcourse is
nowavailable fordentists.An invaluable resource for those
whoarecommitted tohelpingchildren reach their full
potential, thiscoursegivesparticipantshands-on training
onways topreventordecrease theburdenassociatedwith
earlychildhoodcaries (ECC).
The course is designed for local experts to present to interested
groups of dentists through their study clubs, dental societies or
provincial dental associations. The resource underscores CDA’s
commitment to supporting
first dental visits by 12months of age
(or within 6months of first tooth eruption) as a best practice
to help reduce ECC. In fact, CDA recently launched a public
awarenesswebsite to helppromote the importance of the
first visit:
What toExpect
At thecompletionof the
FirstVisit, FirstTooth
CEcourse, participantswill
beable to:
✔
DefineECCandunderstand its epidemiology;
✔
DescribehowECCaffects thenormal growthanddevelopment,
health, andbehaviour of children;
✔
Describe thepathophysiologyof ECCand recognize theclinical
appearanceof earlycarious lesions (white spots), late stagedisease
cavitated lesions and the sequelaeof late stagedisease;
✔
Usea riskassessment tool toevaluate the riskof ECC innormally
developingchildrenand in thosewithcomorbidities;
✔
Providecomfort inexamining infants and toddlers;
✔
Initiateandprovide keypreventive strategies to reduceECC through
motivational interviewing;
✔
Provideanticipatoryguidanceonanagebasis;
✔
Accessweb-based learning resourceson infant oral health;
✔
Understandcommon infant and toddler oral healthconditions;
✔
Appreciate the impact that trainedphysicians andother primary
healthcareproviders canhave;
✔
Partnerwith trainedphysicians andotherprimarycareproviders; and
✔
Provide therapeutic restorative-based strategies to treat ECC,when
necessary.
First visit to thedentist by12monthsof age,
orwithin6monthsof eruptionof first tooth.
CDABESTPRACTICE
Achild’sfirstvisitby12monthsofage is
critical for theearlydiagnosisandprevention
ofdentaldecay, and toeducateparentsand
caregiversaboutdietaryhabits, instilldailyoral
hygiene, establishadentalhome, andstress the
importanceof regularprofessionaldental care.
Obtainingandmaintaininggoodhealth in
childhood isan important investment ina
healthypopulation for the future.
TheconsequencesofuntreatedECCcanbe
serious. Pain, troubleeatingandsleeping,
speechdifficultiesandpoor self-esteemmay
occur.UntreatedECCcanaffectgrowthand the
ability toconcentrateand functionnormally.
According toa report from theCanadian
Institute forHealth Information
1
, hospital
outpatientdental surgery forECCconstituted
31%ofalldaysurgery forchildrenage1 to4,
making it the leadingcauseofdaysurgery for
children in thisagegroup.
The
Importance
of
Prevention
