The one over-riding consideration is this: management in early adulthood should
never be compromised by inappropriate treatment at a young age.
3.8 SUMMARY
Treatment planning for young patients should not only address current needs but
should plan ahead for those of the future, thus ensuring that every child reaches
adulthood with a healthy, functional, and aesthetic dentition as well as positive
attitudes towards dentistry. Meticulous history-taking, clinical examination, and risk
assessment contribute to the decision-making process, but one should never lose sight
of what is realistic and practical for the child in the context of his or her environment.
To do otherwise not only courts non-compliance but also fails to recognize the most
important aspect of all⎯a child's individuality.
3.9 FURTHER READING
Demirjian, A., Goldstein, H., and Tanner, J. M. (1973). A new system of dental age
assessment. Human Biology, 45 , 211-27. (This paper describes how to undertake an
accurate dental age assessment for patients using a panoral radiograph.)
Espelid, I., Mejare, I., and Weerheijm, K. (2003). EAPD guidelines for the use of
radiographs in children. European Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, 4 , 40-8. (This
excellent and comprehensive paper describes the appropriate use of dental
radiographs for young patients.)
Mascarenhas, A. K. (1998). Oral hygiene as a risk indicator of enamel and dentine
caries. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, 26 , 331-9. (This study reviews
the clinical indicators employed in caries risk assessment and highlights the
relationship between poor oral hygiene and caries.)
Powell, L. V. (1988). Caries risk assessment: relevance to the practitioner. Journal of
the American Dental Association, 129 , 349-53. (This comprehensive paper reviews
the practical aspects of caries risk assessment.)
Rodd, H. D., and Wray, A. (2004). Treatment planning for the developing dentition.
Quintessence Publishing, London. (This practical and easily read book covers all
aspects of treatment planning for children.)
3.10 REFERENCE
The Children Act (1989). Department of Health. HMSO London.
Copyright © 2005 Oxford University Press, 2005. All rights reserved.
(+/-) Show / Hide Bibliography