Choosing your baby’s dentist begins a relationship that can support care as your child grows. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) calls this a dental home.
👶 When should it begin?
AAPD recommends establishing a dental home by 12 months of age.
🦷 What does ongoing care include?
- Personalized prevention: A plan based on your child’s oral-health risks.
- Guidance as needs change: Advice about cleaning, diet, development and injury prevention.
- Continuity: Follow-up and coordination for oral-health problems.
- Referrals: Access to specialists when needed care cannot be provided within the dental home.
💡 What can parents ask?
Ask how follow-up visits are planned, how to contact the team about a new concern, and how specialist referrals are coordinated.
Return-visit timing should reflect your child’s assessed risk.
☎️ Start the conversation
Contact Little Kids Dentistry or explore more Infants articles.
📚 AAPD source
Based on AAPD’s Policy on the Dental Home (2023 revision). General education, not an individual care plan or AAPD endorsement.