Oral health in children: prevention of dental caries.

Dental problems are common among children and adolescents in the United States. More than 90 percent of our youth have dental caries, malocclusions, injury to teeth and mouth and gum disease. However, it is possible to maintain oral health and prevent dental problems and, specifically, dental caries, through education and motivation. Nurses working with children and families are more frequently in a position to initiate a program for dental health than are members of the dental profession. We feel that it is essential in light of disease occurrence and current levels of dental caries, for nurses to incorporate oral health maintenance in their care of children in ambulatory and acute care settings.