Dental caries is the most common chronic disease affecting children in the United States. It is 5 times more common than asthma and 7 times more common than hay fever. Early childhood dental caries emerge within all cultural and economic pediatric populations. By the time children are in preschool (ages 2-3), 18.7% have at least 1 tooth with untreated caries. By early school (ages 5-9), 51.6% have either a carious lesion or a filling in a primary tooth. Overall, 58.6% children ages 5 to 17 have caries. Pediatricians and other child health professionals can have a major impact on oral health outcomes for children because of the opportunities provided by early intervention.

In response to this issue, the American Academy of Pediatrics in partnership with the federal Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), have implemented the Oral Health Initiative. The purpose of the program is to promote improved child oral health by offering pediatricians and other child health professionals the tools and support they need to provide community-based, collaborative care.

This Web site has been developed by the Oral Health Initiative to provide pediatricians, child health professionals, and parents with information and resources related to oral health.