The role of the nurse in oral health.

The health of the mouth and oral cavity has historically been seen as something separate of medical and dental practice. This has had deleterious effects for Americans of all ages, but has especially jeopardized the oral health of the most vulnerable population groups, including young children. Nurses have the ability to incorporate oral health risk assessments, screenings, application of fluoride varnish, and oral health education into the infant, child, and adolescent health assessment and the school setting. However, nurses may need to acquire further knowledge in this area to become competent and skilled in performing the oral health assessment. Schools of nursing should include oral health assessment in their curriculum to provide the students with the information and skills needed in order to become partners in oral health upon graduation.