A pediatric nurse is caring for a toddler-age client at a well-child clinic. When providing education regarding the client's oral health, which topics are appropriate for the nurse to include?

Question

Select all that apply.
A) Parental smoking cessation resources.
B) Instructions on brushing the client's teeth once daily.
C) Hazards of fluoride use in tooth development.
D) Instructions on eliminating the client's milk consumption.
E) Instructing the parents that the client needs dental care prior to when the client begins to lose the primary teeth.

Answer 1

Answer: A, E

Many parents are unaware of the importance of dental health in very young children. They may see their child's teeth as "baby teeth" and think they can put off dental visits until the child begins to lose the primary teeth. Nurses working with parents of very young children may need to help parents learn that care of primary teeth is essential to healthy permanent teeth. Providing the client's parents with smoking cessation resources is essential, as secondhand smoke leads to dental caries. The client's teeth should be brushed twice daily and after meals. The client does not need to eliminate milk consumption. Fluoride should be utilized for those with non-fluoridated water and does not pose a risk in tooth development.