Infant oral health symposium: Health professional partnerships toward oral health promotion Part I Esther K. Colchamiro, DMD ,MPH, Jill B. Fernandez, RDH,MPH Objectives: During this symposium faculty will present to attendees in two parts the salient issues affecting promotion of oral health and primary prevention of oral disease from pregnancy through infancy and beyond. At the conclusion of the symposium, the participant will be able to: 1) recognize oral health as integral to overall health 2) understand the value of partnerships toward attainment of our national oral health objectives 3) disseminate to expectant and new mothers basic, accurate information about oral health promotion and primary prevention of oral disease for themselves and their newborns. Abstract Text: Promotion of oral health and primary prevention of oral disease requires early counseling of mothers-to-be, new mothers and other child caretakers. This two part symposium is designed to provide training in infant oral health issues to health professionals with early access to pregnant women and new mothers. Since they do not visit the dental office at the most opportune time to effect good oral health habits, partnerships with other knowledgeable health professionals promise to be an effective strategy for oral health promotion. In Part I, a broad range of infant oral health issues will be presented including prenatal care and oral health; tooth formation and eruption; infant oral medicine; diet, nutrition and saliva, dental caries and the role of fluoride in prevention. A pre-test questionnaire will be administered to gather baseline knowledge data.
Learning Objectives: 1)understand oral health as an integral to overall health 2) understand the value of partnerships toward attainment of our national oral health objectives 3) disseminate to expectant and new mothers basic, accurate information about oral health promotion and primary prevention of oral disease for themselves and their newborns.
Keywords: High Risk Infants, Primary Prevention
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.