AAPD announces new perinatal and infant oral health guidelines.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) released new oral health guidelines that advise all pregnant women to receive counseling and oral health care during pregnancy, and that infants undergo oral health assessment by their first birthday.

These guidelines are based on studies that suggest that proper dental care during the perinatal period of pregnancy may prevent preterm and low-birth weight babies. In addition to that, women with poor oral health risk the chance of infecting their children with the bacteria that cause cavities, increasing their child's caries risk at an early age.

Infants and toddlers are most susceptible to early childhood caries (ECC), and the new AAPD guidelines address proper oral care for this age group. When left untreated, ECC can affect speech and communication, eating and dietary nutrition, sleeping, learning, playing and quality of life even into adulthood.

AAPD also encourages physicians, nurses and other health care professionals to talk to their patients who are expectant mothers about proper oral care. It also recommends that curriculum at medical, nursing and allied health professional programs include education in perinatal and infant oral health.

Source: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

This edition of Health was prepared by Frances Moffett.