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Volume 3 Issue 5
I
ssues and
P
eople
A Risk Management Approach to
EARLYCHILDHOOD
CARIES
Dr. IanMcConnachie, a pediatric dentist fromOttawa, sees this
as a crossroad for the profession. “I believe that the profession,
the leadership and the educators need to develop programs and
opportunities for our members to develop skill sets. And at the
same time, our members need to feel comfortable that they can
develop those skills and establish a dental home early on—to the
mutual benefit of the families and the profession.”
Road map to ECC risk assessment and
management
Dr. McConnachie developed a basic strategy for treating young
patients. “My philosophy of care is one geared toward providing
empathetic care, growing the relationships with the families and
establishing a dental home for the children,” he explains. “It focuses
on developing a true collaboration with the parents, and helping
them in making choices. That effective collaboration really is the
key to success.”
Risk assessment
It all begins with the first exam by age 1 or within 6 months of
first tooth eruption, says Dr. McConnachie. Early visits are an
opportunity to assess risk for ECC and to put in place a specific
plan for the child, in collaboration with an informed parent. “The
actual exam is a very small part of the overall visit, what I call my
30-second special,” he explains. “Most of the visit is done without
the child in the chair and in conversation with the parent.”
Early childhood caries (ECC) continues to take a heavy toll on Canadian children. While many parents
now understand and appreciate the importance of early oral care—both at home and in-office—, some
struggle to find a dentist willing to see their infants.
My philosophy of care is one
geared toward providing
empathetic care, growing the
relationships with the families
and establishing a dental
home for the children.
— Dr. Ian McConnachie