Oral Health Care for the Adolescent Patient 2nd Edition

Course overview

Adolescence is the time between childhood and adulthood. It includes significant changes in growth, and critical developmental experiences include physical and sexual maturation, social and economic independence, development of identity, acquisition of skills needed to carry out adult relationships and roles, and the capacity for abstract reasoning. The adolescent patient has different oral health needs than a younger, prepubertal child or many adults. Using an evidence-based approach, this Quality Resource Guide (QRG) reviews the distinctive oral health care needs and oral health risk factors specific to adolescents. It outlines oral health care recommendations for the adolescent patient and discusses dental treatment planning considerations. This QRG will serve as an essential resource for the dentist and all office staff members, as they assess and provide therapy for adolescents within the practice.