Rural North Carolina has a significant access-to-oral-health-care problem with three counties—Camden, Hyde, and Tyrrell—without a practicing dentist for more than 10 years, and more than 50 counties with noted dentist shortages.

This often misdiagnosed tick-borne disease produces oral signs and symptoms detectable in the dental setting.

Understanding these neurodevelopmental disorders will help oral health professionals provide safe and effective care.

Effectively managing our youngest patients and assessing their caries risk get children on the path toward lifelong oral health.

Following are strategies for supporting oral health and ensuring positive dental experiences in this patient population.

Knowing when it’s time to replace ultrasonic inserts/tips is integral to successful instrumentation.

Detecting subgingival calculus deposits is key to ensuring periodontal health.

A new technique aims to obtain the cleanest pits and fissures possible, improving sealant effectiveness.

Oral health professionals can help ensure a lifetime of oral health by educating children and families about the importance of diet during the developmental years.