As your healthcare provider, MedStar Family Choice District of Columbia is committed to supporting you and your child in living a healthy life so you can feel your best. This information will help you understand more about dental health checks.
When do dental health checks start? Dental health checks should start early in your child’s life. Starting dental health checks early can set your child on a path to good oral health and create positive attitude towards dental care.
• For children aged 1 year, dental screening is done by the pediatrician (doctor) during well-child visits.
• For children ages 1–3 years, the pediatrician (doctor) can perform the screening, OR your child can visit a dentist once per year.
• From ages 3–20 years, dental services are provided by the dentist during checkups every six months.
3 reasons for early dental health checks
• Baby teeth assist in the development of your child’s speech.
• Untreated baby teeth can negatively affect the development of permanent teeth.
• A child’s smile affects their self-esteem and confidence.
What happens during a dental health check? When you have a dental health check, the dentist will do many important things to keep your teeth healthy. Dental health checks can include the following:
• X-Rays
• Examination of the mouth
• Check for cavities
• Cleaning and applying fluoride to teeth • Evaluate the need for extra fluoride (helps prevent cavities)
• Check oral hygiene (go over brushing and flossing if needed)
• Evaluate for dental sealants (sealants are a protective coating applied to the tooth)
• Evaluate diet and nutrition
• Counseling for non-nutritive habits (comforting habits from the use of pacifiers and finger or thumb sucking)
• Counseling for injury prevention
• Substance abuse counseling
• Counseling for piercings in and around the mouth
Teach your child early not to fear the dentist The younger you start bringing your child to the dentist, the less they will fear it. It will teach your child that visiting the dentist is a necessity, not a choice, and that the dentist will take care of their teeth so they are kept healthy and strong to eat.
If you are a MedStar Family Choice DC enrollee, for more information or assistance scheduling dental exams call us at 855-798-4244. Select 1 for Enrollee Services, and then select 2 for an outreach representative. TTY users call 711. Our office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
If you do not speak or read English, please call 888-404-3549 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. A representative will assist you.
