Dental Care Campaign For Montana Moms And Children Fills A Need For Early Oral Health

Helena – The Montana Dental Association is announcing its 2015 campaign “Healthy Smiles from the Start.”

“Because having a healthy mouth starts from the very beginning, dentists across Montana are reaching out to new moms and moms-to-be offering tips and information on how to keep their and their babies’ mouths healthy,” said Dr. Christopher Hirt, president of the Montana Dental Association (MDA).

“Healthy Smiles from the Start” was created by the American Dental Association and the Alliance of the American Dental Association to promote dental care for pregnant women and encourage oral care and dental exams during early childhood (children 0-6 years of age). The campaign encourages parents and caregivers to schedule a child’s first dental visit within six months of the first tooth, and no later than the child’s first birthday. The Montana Dental Association is bringing “Healthy Smiles from the Start” to Montana and tailoring the campaign to meet the needs of pregnant women and young children in Montana.

Dental caries, or cavities, are the most prevalent chronic disease among both children and adults in the U.S. Dental caries in early childhood, also known as baby bottle tooth decay, are epidemic. At least one-third of children age three to five years have dental cavities in one or more primary tooth, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

“Oral health is an important part of prenatal and postnatal education that is often overlooked,” Hirt explained. “The MDA is hoping to increase awareness of the need for dental care during pregnancy. The health of the mother’s mouth is the first step for the child’s oral health, because bacteria from her mouth is likely to be transferred to the child.”

 

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