Dentists have always taken pride in providing a safe environment for their patients. Preventing the spread of diseases is a very high priority. Dental offices follow a specific set of rules called "Universal Precautions." Examples of these precautions are the wearing of masks and gloves by dental personnel. Instruments used to treat patients are carefully cleaned and sterilized using heat, steam pressure or both. Sterilizers are checked regularly to be sure they are working properly.

Recently, the national organization of Oral Surgeons issued a report about injuries to the face and mouth as a result of car accidents. Because of the tremendous forces involved, this type of trauma can be especially devastating. Fractures of the jaws and facial bones have a serious physical and emotional impact. Damage to the teeth as a result of a collision is almost always severe. Teeth may be loosened or broken to the point where root canal treatment or extraction may be the only options. Naturally, the conclusion of the Oral Surgeon's report focused on prevention of these injuries.

Children have twenty primary or "baby" teeth. The first incisors come in at between six and twelve months. The full set of baby teeth, including the molars, are usually present by two to three years of age. Parents may notice their child become irritable and fussy when a tooth is erupting. This is commonly known as "teething pain" and may be accompanied by drooling or even a slight fever. It is very important to take good care of primary teeth. The enamel of a baby tooth may not be as durable as the enamel of a permanent tooth. Some people are not aware that primary teeth have nerves just like adult teeth. In fact, the nerve of a primary tooth is quite large and close to the surface. That is why a local anesthetic is required when filling a cavity in a baby tooth. In addition to their biting and chewing function, the primary teeth hold the space for the developing permanent teeth.