Walter Reed Focuses on Children’s Dental Health and Continuity of Care
BETHESDA, Md. – Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) emphasizes the importance of consistent dental care for military families, recognizing that healthy families contribute to the readiness of service members. This commitment was highlighted during an open house on February 6, 2026, hosted by the Pediatric Dental Department and the Navy Medicine Professional Development Center.
The Importance of Continuity of Care
The open house aimed to raise awareness about the continuity of care services available to service members and their families, with a specific focus on children’s oral health. Military Health System (MHS) officials state that healthy families reduce stress on active-duty personnel, particularly during deployments, allowing them to concentrate on their missions. Early dental intervention establishes long-term healthy habits for children.
Preventive Care and Early Intervention
Dr. Clayton Cheung, a staff pediatric dentist at WRNMMC, stresses the need for children to have a “dental home” for comprehensive care, and referrals. Preventing cavities minimizes missed school and workdays, allows children to enjoy their childhoods without dental pain, and enables service members and their families to focus on their responsibilities.
Establishing Good Oral Hygiene Habits
Good oral hygiene is crucial for proper chewing, nutrition, speech development, self-assurance, and confidence. Baby teeth play a vital role in guiding permanent teeth into their correct alignment. Establishing good oral hygiene habits early in life positively impacts overall health.
Oral Health Begins Before the First Tooth
Dental care should start even before a child’s first tooth erupts. Expectant mothers should maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle and continue regular dental and physician appointments. Parents should wipe a child’s gums with a clean, soft, wet cloth after feedings, or at least twice daily.
Brushing and Flossing Guidelines
Dentists recommend brushing with a smear of fluoridated toothpaste as soon as the first tooth appears. For children with a full set of teeth (20), brushing for two minutes twice a day under adult supervision is advised. Parents should supervise brushing to ensure effectiveness. Children can begin brushing independently around age six and flossing around age nine, when they can tie their shoes, but only after their teeth begin to touch.
Diet and Dental Health
Diet plays a significant role in preventing cavities. Foods and drinks high in sugar, especially those that stick to the teeth, increase the risk of tooth decay. Sticky, chewy candies are more cavity-causing than chocolate because they remain in the mouth longer. Frequent sipping of sugary beverages also creates a prolonged “danger zone” for teeth. Fresh fruits and vegetables promote saliva flow, which helps wash away food particles.
Regular Dental Visits
Children should have their first dental visit by 12 months of age, or within six months of the first tooth erupting. If it has been more than six months since a child’s last dental visit, an appointment should be scheduled promptly. Dentists often see children as young as two or three years old with cavities due to excessive juice, soda, or milk consumption. Toothbrushes should be replaced every three to four months.
Resources for Pediatric Dentistry at Walter Reed
For more information about pediatric dentistry at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, visit walterreed.tricare.mil/Health-Services/Dental/Hospital-Dentistry or call 301-400-2060.