Knee-to-Knee Technique: Use the knee-to-knee technique for the easiest way to do an infant dental exam or visual screening. In this method, the caretaker is seated knee-to-knee with the care provider and is holding the infant face-to-face on his or her lap. The child is then gently laid back until he or she is flat atop the caretaker and care provider’s knees.  With the child’s head in the care provider’s lap, the caretaker holds the infant’s hands as the provider examines the teeth for signs of tooth decay. Download the First Dental Visit by Age One guide below for more information about this technique.

 

Fluoride Varnish Treatment: Fluoride varnish has been shown to be an effective intervention in the prevention of Early Childhood Caries. A recent study showed that a single fluoride varnish application reduced the risk of tooth decay by 50 percent.