Dental Home

Definition
Ongoing relationship between the dentist and the patient, inclusive of all aspects of oral health care delivered in a comprehensive, continuously accessible, coordinated and family centered way. Establishment of dental home begins not later than 12 months of age and includes referral to dental specialists when appropriate. (AAPD, 2004)

Objectives
1. To enhance the dentists ability to assist children and their parents/ caregivers in the quest for optimum oral health care 2. To schedule early oral health examinations and preventive services for cost effectiveness 3. Offer parents and caregivers resource4s which assist them in making the best informed choice 4. Individual child risk assessment for dental home 5. Interaction with early intervention programs, schools, early childhood education and child care programs, members of the medical and dental communities and other public and private community agencies to ensure awareness of age specific oral health issues 6. To make the parents aware of when and how frequently should they visit a dental home for heir child ,

Essential steps to be taken when a parent/ caregivers approach to dental home

1. History: Detailed history involving prenatal, birth and postnatal periods. 2. Examination: General assessment provides insight to systemic problems. Thorough oral examination is warranted 3. Risk assessment is carried out by noting down various factors. Eg. Dietary factors, amount of plaque, feeding practices, 4. Any therapy, restorative procedure or prophylactic measures needed should be instituted

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Characteristic of the dental home

Characteristic Accessible Description Care provided in the child community All insurance accepted and changes in coverage accommodated Practical advantages Source of care is close to home and accessible to family Minimal hassle encountered with payment Office ready for treatment in emergency situation Office non biases Dentist knows community needs and resources. Low parent/ child anxiety Care protocols more comfortable to family Cultural competent Cultural background recognized, valued, respected Appropriate role of parent in dental home is established. Appropriate recall intervals based on childs need Coordination of complex dental treatment is possible Emergency access is ensured Care manager and primary care dentist are in same place Records centralized School, workshop, therapy linkages established and known Dentist child relationship is established Family relationship is established Children less anxious owing to familiarity Mechanism is established for communication for ongoing care Specialized resources are known and proven if needed Staff may speak other languages and know dental terminology

Family centered

Continuous

Recognition of the centeredness of the family Unbiased complete info is share Same primary care providers from infancy through adolescence Assistance provided with transitions Health care available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week Preventive, primary, tertiary care provided Families linked to support, education and community services Info centralized Expressed and demonstrated concern for child and family

Comprehensive

Coordinated

Compassionate

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Advantages
1. Embraces the importance of early intervention with optimal preventive strategies chosen based on the risk of the patient. 2. Encourage 1st dental visit 3. Practitioners can provide personalized preventive approaches for children 4. Provide framework for the practitioner when developing office policies and recommendations. 5. Provide anticipatory guidance to the parents 6. Preventive intervention can be personalized

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