Definition of Dental Home

Definition of Dental Home

The dental home is the ongoing relationship between the dentist and the patient, inclusive of all aspects of oral health care delivered in a safe, culturally-sensitive, individualized, comprehensive, continuous, accessible, coordinated, compassionate, and patient- and family-centered way regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual or gender identity, medical status, family structure, or financial circumstances. The dental home should be established no later than 12 months of age to help children and their families institute a lifetime of optimal oral health. A dental home addresses anticipatory guidance and preventive, acute, and comprehensive oral health care and includes referral to dental specialists when appropriate.

This definition was developed by the Council on Clinical Affairs, adopted in 2006, and last revised in 2018.