What is the best age for a pediatric patient to receive an oral exam?

  It is very important for a professional pediatric dentist to determine the age at which a child should receive his or her first oral health exam. Health care providers in the United States and Canada recommend that children should receive their first oral health examination within 6 months of the eruption of their first tooth, or before the age of 1 year. The purpose of the first oral examination is to diagnose, treat and prevent early childhood caries.  The diagnosis includes: 1.Assessment of the child’s general health status and related physical conditions related to oral health.  2.Complete the clinical oral examination and the corresponding diagnostic examination to evaluate the oral growth and development and pathological condition.  3.Assess oral hygiene status and feeding practices.  4.Decide the fluoride intake and the fluoride content of the diet.  5.Diagnose the existing and potential caries and developmental diseases.  Treatment includes: 1.Referring the child to a specialist for evaluation of general health status if needed.  2.Removing staining and deposits from the tooth surface.  3.Treatment of caries, including fluoride application on suspicious area; controlled treatment of early caries lesions; filling treatment of intermediate and progressive caries lesions.  4.If necessary, extract teeth that have become infected lesions and make gap retainers.  5.Take corresponding measures when abnormal and pathological changes are found.