Knee-to-Knee Dental Exam
PREVENTIVE TREATMENT
FOR INFANTS AND THE VERY YOUNG CHILD
Early Infant Oral Health
 It is a win-win situation for your patients and you
 PREVENTIVE rather than REACTIVE
First Step
 See them early!
 Complete caries risk assessment
 Follow AAP, AGD and ADA recommendations for
first dental visit.
Taken fromwww.aapd.org/dentalhome/infantoralhealth.ppt
Physical Exam
 Knee to knee exam (Clinical exam)
 What to look for
 Plaque and inflammation
 Stain
 Decay
 What to do:
 Prophy and fluoride
 Silver Nitrate and Fluoride Varnish
 ART (atraumatic restorative technique)
Taken from www.aapd.org/dentalhome/infantoralhealth.ppt
How to Complete a Knee-to-Knee exam
 Explain procedure with caregiver
 inform caregiver that crying is common and is good!
 Have patient sit on caregivers lap facing them with
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legs wrapped around caregivers waist
Provider will sit knee-to-knee with caregiver
Caregiver will lay patient back into providers lap
Caregiver is in control of legs, arms, and shoulders
Provider can control head and neck
Complete exam and apply fluoride varnish
Bright Smiles from Birth Training Video
 http://illinoisaap.org/2010/08/bright-smiles-from-
birth-training-video/