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An infant oral health evaluation encompasses the assessment and identification of oral disease, the establishment of preventive practices and the monitoring of developing dentofacial structures. The article presented here focuses on the need for dentists to begin a dialogue with parents of young children with regard to their infant's oral health. Emphasis is on oral hygiene, fluoride intake, non-nutritive habits, bottle feeding and diet.

We have heard mothers tell their children not to stick their fingers in their mouths because they will get sick. Medical and dental professionals know this is true. Oral habits like thumb sucking and nail biting can damage the structure of the mouth and can lead to the spread of infectious diseases.

Local anesthetic, when administered properly and in correct dosages, is an essential part of pediatric oral health care. Recent adjustments to maximum safe dosage and careful administration techniques make local anesthetic use with children even safer and more effective. Safe dosage levels, technique recommendations and early clinical signs of possible overdose are presented here.