EQIPP: Oral Health Promotion in Primary Care

Description

This course equips pediatric health professionals with the knowledge and skills to integrate comprehensive oral health services into the pediatric medical home, supporting early prevention and long-term dental wellness. Participants will learn to recognize the role of the Primary Pediatric Health Professional (PPHP) in establishing and sustaining a dental home, refer families while addressing common barriers, and apply fluoride varnish effectively. The training covers proper oral examinations, strategies to address caregiver concerns about fluoride, and best practices for procuring, storing, and billing for preventive treatments. Learners will also gain expertise in conducting formal oral health risk assessments for children up to 6 years old, evaluating dietary and hygiene habits, and providing culturally and developmentally appropriate anticipatory guidance. Emphasis is placed on the pediatric medical home’s ongoing responsibility to document, coordinate, and maintain oral health care in collaboration with the entire care team, ensuring every child receives consistent, evidence-based prevention and support.

KCA 1 Establish a dental home for patients 12 months of age or older:

• Define the concept of a dental home and explain its importance in early childhood oral health care.

• Describe how the Primary Preventive Health Provider (PPHP) can support the establishment of a dental home by the child’s first birthday.

• Identify common barriers families may face in establishing a dental home and demonstrate strategies the PPHP can use to guide families through these challenges.

• Evaluate ways the PPHP can enhance their clinical practices to facilitate timely access to a dental home for children by age one.

• Document reasons why children over 12 months of age may not have an established dental home and apply appropriate follow-up actions.

KCA 2 Fluoride varnish applied in the office for patients within the last 6 months:

• Identify the recommended ages for fluoride varnish application and demonstrate proper techniques for its use in pediatric patients.

• Describe best practices for implementing oral health care services within a Pediatric Primary Health Care Provider (PPHP) setting.

• Apply effective techniques for fluoride varnish application in anxious, uncooperative, and/or very young patients.

• Recognize important considerations and adapt fluoride varnish application techniques for individuals with special health care needs.

• Develop effective communication strategies to address caregiver concerns and hesitancy about fluoride varnish application.

KCA 3 Oral health risk assessment completed at the last health supervision visit:

• Identify the recommended ages for using the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Oral Health Risk Assessment Tool and describe its key components.

• Distinguish between risk factors and protective factors as outlined in the AAP Oral Health Risk Assessment Tool.

• Recognize key physical findings relevant to the oral health risk assessment and apply them in clinical evaluations.

• Communicate appropriate self-management goals to caregivers based on oral health risk assessment results.

• Evaluate special considerations when conducting oral health risk assessments for individuals with special health care needs.

KCA 4 Oral Health Anticipatory Guidance:

• Define oral health anticipatory guidance and explain its importance in pediatric preventive care.

• Describe the responsibilities of the Pediatric Primary Health Care Provider (PPHP) in delivering oral health anticipatory guidance.

• Deliver age-specific oral health guidance tailored to the developmental stages of pediatric patients and their families.

• Identify strategies to enhance the integration and effectiveness of oral health anticipatory guidance within pediatric practice.

Course Details

• Start Date: November 7, 2025
• Online Access Expires: November 6, 2028
• Credit Expires: November 6, 2028
• Course ID: 61852

Acknowledgements

No commercial support.

Faculty

Course Faculty:

Eric L Beyer, MD, MPH, FAAP

Melinda B Clark, MD, FAAP 

Juyoung Joyce, MD, FAAP

Quality Improvement Education Advisory Group (QIEAG) Liaison:

Karin Hillenbrand, MD, FAAP

Reviewers:

Chevron Brooks, MD, FAAP

Eve Kimball, MD, FAAP

AAP Staff:

Lauren Barone

Gina Crosley-Corcoran

Kristen Minaglia

Sandra Moore