Visual Screening/Exam: Use the knee-to-knee technique for the easiest way to do an infant visual screening. In this method, the caretaker is seated knee-to-knee with the care provider and is holding the infant face-to-face on his or her lap. The child is then gently laid back until he or she is flat atop the caretaker and care provider’s knees.  With the child’s head in the care provider’s lap, the caretaker holds the infant’s hands as the provider examines the teeth for signs of tooth decay. Download the First Dental Visit by Age One guide for more information about this technique.

 

Determining Risk: Use the Caries Risk Assessment Tool (CAT) developed by The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry for use by health care providers to assess the level of risk for caries development and to refer to a dental provider. Your patients should be referred to a dentist for an exam by age one and every six months after that.