Prenatal Counseling and Infant Oral Health Care

The perinatal period is the period beginning with the completion of the 20th to 28th week of gestation and ending one to four weeks after birth. The infant period extends to the child’s first birthday. Oral health providers have an important role in perinatal and infant oral health care, particularly regarding the establishment of a dental home, educating new parents, and the timing of a child’s first dental visit. Oral health providers need to be knowledgeable regarding the perinatal period and first year of a child’s life with respect to common oral conditions, anticipatory guidance, and early dental caries preventive care including oral cleaning, dietary recommendations, and optimal fluoride exposure.