Prevention of dental caries in children from birth through age 5 years: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement
Abstract
DESCRIPTION: Update of the 2004 US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation on prevention of dental caries in preschool-aged children. METHODS: The USPSTF reviewed the evidence on prevention of dental caries by primary care clinicians in children 5 years and younger, focusing on screening for caries, assessment of risk for future caries, and the effectiveness of various interventions that have possible benefits in preventing caries. POPULATION: This recommendation applies to children age 5 years and younger. RECOMMENDATION: The USPSTF recommends that primary care clinicians prescribe oral fluoride supplementation starting at age 6 months for children whose water supply is deficient in fluoride. (B recommendation) The USPSTF recommends that primary care clinicians apply fluoride varnish to the primary teeth of all infants and children starting at the age of primary tooth eruption. (B recommendation) The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of routine screening examinations for dental caries performed by primary care clinicians in children from birth to age 5 years. (I Statement)
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Support for integrating oral health into well-child visits has developed over time, and this integration is now considered an essential part of well-child visits.
“Support for this strategy has evolved over many years, and it now is considered an essential part of the well-child visits.1, 6, 10–13”
From Access to preventive services after the integration of oral health care into early childhood education and medical care (2018) · cites this paper as [12]
Evidence is lacking on how often dental referral activities occur within primary care and on their effectiveness.
“Evidence is lacking on the extent to which these activities take place within primary care or their effectiveness.12, 25”
From Access to preventive services after the integration of oral health care into early childhood education and medical care (2018) · cites this paper as [12]
A number of organizations have promoted integrating oral health into primary care as a method to improve access to preventive oral health services.
“A number of organizations have promoted the integration of oral health into primary care as one method to improve access to POHS.1, 10, 12, 13, 28–31”
From Access to preventive services after the integration of oral health care into early childhood education and medical care (2018) · cites this paper as [12]
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- Authors
- Moyer, V. A.
- Corresponding author
- Moyer, Virginia A.
- ORCID
- Moyer, Virginia A.
- Venue
- Pediatrics
- Publisher
- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
- Published
- 2014-06-01
- Volume
- 133
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 1102-1111
- ISSN
- 0031-4005 (ISSN-L)
- 1098-4275
- OpenAlex
- W2116077426
- Cited by
- 139
- References
- 35
- Citations by year
- 2025: 8 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 20 · 2017: 19 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 6
- FWCI
- 20.02
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- PEDIATRICS (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Dentistry › Periodontics › Dental Health and Care Utilization
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Child and Adolescent Health
- Health Sciences › Dentistry › Oral Surgery › Dental Anxiety and Anesthesia Techniques
- Keywords
- dental caries prevention, preschool children, infants, fluoride supplementation, fluoride varnish, primary teeth, caries screening, caries risk assessment, primary care providers, water fluoridation
- MeSH terms
- Child, Preschool, Cooperative Behavior, Dental Caries, Dental Caries Activity Tests, Dental Caries Susceptibility, Fluoridation, Fluorides, Topical, Humans, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Mass Screening, Preventive Dentistry, Primary Health Care, United States, Risk Assessment, Interdisciplinary Communication
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