Establish the dental home

Key points to remember about the establishment of the dental home:

• The dental home is the ongoing relationship between the dentist and the patient, inclusive of all aspects of oral health care delivered in a comprehensive, continuously accessible, coordinated, and family-centered way.
• The dental home should be established no later than 12 months of age to help children and their families institute a lifetime of good oral health.
• Regular, ongoing visits to the dental home are essential to address anticipatory guidance and preventive, acute, and comprehensive oral health care and includes referral to dental specialists when appropriate.
• Establishing relationships with dental professionals in the area with whom you can consult and to whom you can refer to families is essential.