In 1998, the University of Iowa (UI) began offering free infant dental care to children who are at a higher risk for dental issues. The Infant Oral Health Program is now 20 years old. The check-ups only last minutes, but they make all the difference in the world. Not only does the program offer free dental care to children, but it also allows senior dental students and residents to gain experience.

The program has provided care to 3,734 children from the ages of 0 to 3. It’s recommended that a child first visit the dentist within six months of gaining their first tooth. They should not wait until they are one. This recommendation came once studies discovered that children who come from low-income households have experienced Early Childhood Caries by the age of 3. Early Childhood Caries can not only cause pain but also life-threatening infections.

Many children visit a medical doctor. However, they do not go to the dentist. It’s easy for us to disregard dental health as part of our overall health. Unfortunately, this only causes for us in the future. It’s important to start these visits early.

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