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The concept of a dental home has been present in the dental industry for some time, having first been introduced in the 1970s. It wouldn’t be until 2006 that the concept began getting traction and support from the American Dental Association. The concept of a dental home focuses on the idea that the members of a family are the first and best advocates for the dental health of the members of that family.

What
Are The Cornerstones Of The Dental Home

Education
is one of the cornerstones of the dental home. The idea that patients
should be educated and involved in their dental health care may not
seem like a revolutionary concept, but it was one that took some time
to get accepted by the dental community. Now that it has, it has
taken the Dental world by storm, revolutionizing the relationship
between patients and their care providers.

Access
To Care

In
addition to education, accessibility is a key component.
Accessibility is promoted by providing better financing options to
patients of the clinic. The expense of dental care is often a barrier
to those seeking to improve their oral health, especially in cases
where implants, dentures, and other expensive work is needed. The
overall model especially focuses on children. Children tend to be at
high risk for oral health concerns, especially in homes where the
parents aren’t sufficiently educated on dental care concerns or
lack the financial ability to provide proper care.

Coordination
Of Care

This
service will be provided as part of the comprehensive community care.
It begins with the identification of a lead coordinator, often a
dentist or other medical professional within the industry, though a
family member can be selected as well. The important element of any
qualified coordinator is that they must be able to navigate the
health care system comfortably. Programs like Iowa’s I-Smile
program help facilitate this aspect of the program.

Preventative
Care

Central
to ongoing oral health is preventative care. Preventative care is
less expensive than later repair work or treatment of decay. It also
ensures that individuals are able to maintain their natural teeth
longer, one of the primary goals of any dentist. Risk assessment,
education, preventative care, and outreach are all essential portions
of this part of the program. The University of Tennessee’s Oral
Health Education Program has shown that even 20 minutes spent
teaching new mothers about dental health care has had notable results
in the form of reduced tooth decay in children aged 3-4.

If
you want to take steps to make your home one that is active and
educated on the subject of oral health care, reach out to your
dentist today. Dr. Swati Singh helps patients develop their homes
into dental homes from the Smiling Kids Pediatric Dentistry Office in
Indianapolis, IN. Schedule an appointment today to begin your journey
towards lifelong dental health for you and your family today! It’s
never too late to get started on developing a home with great oral
health!