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DENTAL HOME

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"We highly recommend that your child has an established dental home by their first year of age."

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Yearly Checkup

WHAT IS DENTAL HOME? 

A dental home is like a “go-to” place for a child’s dental care—a specific dentist or dental practice where they get regular checkups, treatments, and advice, all tailored to their needs. It’s a term used in pediatric dentistry to describe a consistent, trusting relationship between the child, their family, and a dentist who knows their dental history and can take care of their teeth as they grow.

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What Makes a Dental Home Special?

  • Regular Care: It’s where kids go for routine visits (like cleanings every 6 months) to keep their teeth healthy.

  • All-in-One Spot: The dentist handles everything—checkups, fillings, emergencies, and even advice on brushing or diet.

  • Familiarity: The child sees the same dentist or team, so they feel comfortable and less scared over time.

  • Personalized: The dentist tracks the child’s growth, spots problems early (like cavities or crooked teeth), and plans care that fits them.

  • Family Support: Parents get guidance too, like how to help with teething or when to start orthodontics.

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Why It Matters

The idea comes from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), which says every kid should have a dental home by age 1 (or when their first tooth pops up). It’s like a medical home with a family doctor, but for teeth! Starting early helps:

  • Catch and fix issues before they get big (e.g., small cavities don’t turn into root canals).

  • Build good habits (like brushing twice a day).

  • Make dental visits a normal, stress-free part of life.

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Example

Imagine a 3-year-old named Sam. His dental home is Dr. Lee’s office. Sam goes there for his first checkup, gets a cleaning, and later has a cavity filled. When he chips a tooth at age 5, Dr. Lee fixes it right away because she already knows Sam’s teeth. By age 7, Dr. Lee notices his bite’s off and suggests Phase I orthodontics. Sam’s parents trust Dr. Lee because she’s been with them every step of the way—that’s a dental home in action!

In short, a dental home is a kid’s dental headquarters—a friendly, reliable place to keep their smile healthy from baby teeth to big-kid teeth!

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