Oral Health Topics
Early Childhood Tooth Decay (Baby Bottle Tooth Decay)
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Introduction
Early Childhood Caries is an infectious disease defined as the presence of one or more decayed (non-cavitated or cavitated lesions), missing (due to caries) or filled tooth surfaces in any primary tooth in a preschool-age child between birth and 71 months of age. The Association recognizes that early childhood caries is a significant public health problem in selected populations and is also found throughout the general population. Although dental caries has declined significantly among school-aged children since the early 1970s, dental caries has remained the most prevalent chronic disease of childhood. For 2–4 year-olds, prevalence of dental caries in primary teeth has increased from approximately 18% to 24% between 1988–1994 and 1999–2004.
ADA News
Curbing caries, boosting access goals of IHS initiative (01/26/2010)
Seeking a solution (01/25/2010)
ADA, ADAF join with AAP to train pediatricians as oral health advocates (12/16/2009)
Evidence indicates sealants improve children's oral health (11/03/2009)
Focus on the dental home (08/27/2009)
Wisconsin Dental Association produces dental home DVD (08/21/2009)
ADA urges boost to IHS dental care (03/26/2009).
February JADA looks at restorations in children (02/03/2009)
Making dental-medical history (02/04/2009)
AAPD/Head Start initiative kicks off in six states (09/16/2008)
New infant dental clinic experience for UIC College of Dentistry students (07/21/2008)
American Indian/Alaska Native outreach grows (03/17/2008)
Summit participants address American Indian/Alaska Native oral health issues (03/17/2008)
AADR urges Congress to boost oral health research dollars (03/14/2008)
JADA
- Is Income Inequality Related to Childhood Dental Caries in Rich Countries? (February 2010)
- Early Childhood Caries (October 2009)
- Infant Formula and Enamel Fluorosis: A Systematic Review (July 2009)
- Fluoridated Toothpaste and the Prevention of Early Childhood Caries: A Failure to Meet the Needs of Our Young (June 2009)
- Beyond the dmft: The Human and Economic Cost of Early Childhood Caries (June 2009)
- Providing Dental Care to Pregnant Patients: A Survey of Oregon General Dentists (February 2009)
- Cariogenicity of Soft Drinks, Milk and Fruit Juice in Low-Income African-American Children: A Longitudinal Study (July 2008)
- Using a Caries Activity Test to Predict Caries Risk in Early Childhood (January 2008)
- For the Dental Patient--Your Child's Growing Smile (January 2012) (PDF)
ADA Caries Risk Assessment Forms
- Download Instructions (PDF)
- Caries Risk Form (Patients Ages 0–6 Years) (PDF)
- Caries Risk Form (Patients Over 6 Years) (PDF)
- Survey on ADA Caries Risk Assessment Forms
Early Childhood Caries Symposium
- Panel Report: Symposium on Early Childhood Caries in American Indian and Alaska Native Children (PDF/1MB)
ADA Positions and Statements
ADA Web Sites
- ADA Caries
- ADA Tooth Eruption Charts
- ADA Diet and Oral Health
- ADA Interim Guidance on Fluoride Intake for Infants and Young Children
- ADA Bottled Water
- ADA Fluoride and Fluoridation
- ADA Fluoride Supplements
- ADA Public Service Announcement—Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
Science in the News
- Pediatric Journal Highlights Need for Translational Research, Medical-Dental Collaboration to Improve Children's Oral Health (Posted 12/28/09)
Evidence-based Clinical Recommendations
- Professionally-Applied Topical Fluoride (PDF)
- Professionally-Applied Topical Fluoride (Executive Summary) (PDF)
Related Web Sites
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
- Dental Care for your Baby
- Policy on Early Childhood Caries (ECC): Classifications, Consequences, and Preventive Strategies (PDF)
- Policy on Early Childhood Caries (ECC): Unique Challenges and Treatment Options (PDF)
- Policy on the Use of a Caries-Risk Assessment Tool (CAT) for Infants, Children and Adolescents (PDF)
American Academy of Pediatrics
- Where We Stand: Fruit Juice
- AAP Oral Health Initiative
- Oral Health Risk Assessment Timing and Establishment of the Dental Home Policy Statement
