Prioritizing pediatric oral health

A large proportion of children may be forgoing dental appointments.

Data from the Risas Dental and Braces dental practice emphasized a growing trend of missed dental appointment among children and teenagers, according to a news report from Bloom Tampa Bay. The data suggested that patients ages 14 to 18 years accounted for more than 20,000 of the missed appointments. The main factors attributed for missed dental appointments included family commitments, forgetfulness, illnesses, school conflicts and fear of dental treatment.

Experts cited in the article underscored that regular visits to the dentist can help prevent oral health issues — such as untreated cavities and periodontal disease — as well as ease dental clinic-related anxiety. In addition, the ADA recommended that patients first visit the dentist by the age of one year so that dentists can monitor tooth development and establish healthful oral habits at an earlier age.

Read more: Bloom Tampa Bay

The article presented here is intended to inform you about the broader media perspective on dentistry, regardless of its alignment with the ADA's stance. It is important to note that publication of an article does not imply the ADA's endorsement, agreement, or promotion of its content.