1st Tooth, 1st Visit

If you were to survey a room full of people, “At what age should a child visit the dentist for the first time?” you will most likely receive a wide spread of opinions. What we often hear from members of the community is a lack of concern for baby teeth, because they are “going to fall out anyway.”

But for how long should decay be allowed to fester in a child’s mouth? Ideally—no time at all! With proper dental hygiene, nutritious meals, and regular dental check-ups, all children can reach school age cavity-free. It’s from ignoring oral health in the first few years which creates scenarios we often face in KinderSmile Oral Health Program: Four & five year olds are already suffering from childhood caries (cavities), baby bottle teeth, and oral infections.

These are the sort of topics covered in KinderSmile Perinatal Health & Wellness Program, the learning initiative which empowers pregnant and recently postpartum women with information about their babies’ & their own oral health. Most importantly, it links them to a dental home where they can actually receive the dental care that their learning the importance of, regardless of their insurance or immigration status.

Our team and our participating moms are enormously grateful to the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey for sponsoring the second year of PHWP, which will provide free education & dental care to 75 uninsured moms by February 2019.