What Are the Lasting Effects of Early Preventive Dental Care?
A recent US study found that early preventative dental care in children may actually lead to more long-term dental care. Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health analysed nearly 20,000 Medicaid records and published their results in JAMA Paediatrics.
Key takeaways:
– Official dental groups such as the American Dental Association recommend children start visiting a dentist as soon as their baby teeth come through (and you’ve captured their first toothy smile)
– Children who received early preventative dental care were found to have more dentist visits, more frequent treatment for tooth decay and higher spending on dental care than children who did not receive early preventative dental care
– The study had limitations such as not measuring water fluoridation or other dental health behaviour such as brushing teeth
“Additional research among other populations and beyond administrative data may be necessary to elucidate the true effects of early preventive dental care.”
Read the full story here: http://news.dental/2017/03/08/lasting-effects-early-preventive-dental-care/