Occasionally, a dentist will en¬counter a child that requires the care of a specialist. For example, a very young child with many cavities. or perhaps an extremely fearful or apprehensive child. In cases like these, the General Den¬tist may recommend the care of a Pedodonitist. These are dentists who have taken years of additional training specifically in the care of special children.

Did you know that on average, a person typically brushes their teeth for 38 seconds? The bac¬terial film that accumulates on our teeth (plaque) is remarkably sticky. A quick brushing is simply not adequate to effectively remove this sticky plaque.

Since February is National Children's Dental Health Month, I thought it would be a good idea to review the importance of regular dental visits for kids. When a child visits the dentist, it is an opportunity to take advantage of the benefits of preventive dentistry. A complete professional cleaning is important because a child may not be able to brush all areas of the teeth. Plaque and tartar between the teeth can cause cavities and irritate young gum tissue. We like to provide flouride treatments as soon as the child can tolerate the procedure. This will make tooth enamel resist decay. If we find areas of the teeth that are trapping plaque or food debris, like the surfaces of the molars, bonded plastic sealants can protect them.

American dentists are proud of the progress we have made in getting children off to a lifetime of good dental health. In fact, the American Dental Association has designated February to emphasize the importance of children's dental health.

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.