The AAP recommends that all children have an identified dental home within 6 months after the first tooth erupts or by 1 year of age, whichever is earlier.

The concept of the dental home is derived from the AAP concept of the medical home. The AAP states, “the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents ideally should be accessible, continuous, comprehensive, family centered, coordinated, compassionate, and culturally effective. It should be delivered or directed by well-trained physicians who provide primary care and help to manage and facilitate essentially all aspects of pediatric care.”

Pediatric primary dental care needs to be delivered in a similar manner. The dental home is a specialized primary dental care provider within the philosophical complex of the medical home. Referring a child for an oral health examination by a dentist who provides care for infants and young children establishes the child’s dental home and provides an opportunity to implement preventive dental health habits that meet each child’s unique needs and keep the child free from oral disease.

Note: A sample of the dental home model is found in the reference section of this presentation.