Description

The adolescent dental patient has distinctive dental needs because of potentially increased risks for dental caries, traumatic injuries, and periodontal disease, as well as a tendency for poor nutritional habits and risky behaviors such as tobacco and drug use and sexual activity . All of these factors may contribute to a more complex management of the adolescent's dental care. Although many adolescents living in the India today may have experienced a decline in the incidence and severity of dental caries because of the benefits of fluoridated water and dentifrices, adolescents need to understand the importance of good oral hygiene and its relationship to periodontal health, as well as overall good general health. The dentist is in a unique position among health care professionals in guiding the adolescent's oral health care because of the frequent dental recall intervals that occur over time. As a result, the adolescent has more opportunities to discuss the physical, psychologic, and high-risk behavioral issues with a dental practitioner. Therefore, the dentist must have knowledge of the cause, symptoms,and manifestations of periodontal disease and soft tissue lesions.