Evaluation of the use of the oral health section of the road to health chart (RtHC)

Abstract

Dental caries in preschool children remains a major dental public health problem as it affects a significant number of preschool children in both developed and developing countries. Dental caries is a multifactorial disease caused by bacteria, sugar and carbohydrates which metabolize to form acids. These acids demineralize the tooth surface which results in dental caries. Cariogenic bacteria can pass from mother to child in the first two years of the child�s life. Other causes of childhood caries result from poor feeding practices and dietary practices. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) policy statement advises that screening should be conducted by the time of the first tooth appearance and at no later than 12 months of age (AAP, 2011).