Adolescence is a period of rapid biological development, personal change, and evolving social roles that bridges childhood and adulthood. Its definition has expanded in response to earlier puberty, later transitions into adult roles (e.g., completing education, marriage, parenthood) and unprecedented social influences, including social media. Although adolescence was traditionally defined as ages 10 to 19, it is now often considered to span ages 10 to 24.
Adolescents face distinct oral health challenges, including an increased risk of dental caries, periodontal disease, traumatic dental injuries, pathologic lesions, and oral manifestations of mental health conditions. Effective oral health management requires an understanding of the social, behavioural, and psychological factors that may influence care. These include oral hygiene practices, nutrition, access to routine oral health services, heightened concern about appearance, dental anxiety or phobia, tobacco and nicotine use, alcohol and other substance use, interest in oral piercings, the possibility of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections, and mental health concerns, such as eating disorders and depression.
An adolescent’s age and developmental stage (early, middle, or late adolescence) can influence diagnostic, preventive, restorative, and surgical treatment decisions. Seeking the adolescent’s consent is an important part of oral health care and supports their emerging independence. Given the complexity of adolescents’ needs and the psychosocial factors that influence them, establishing and maintaining trust and confidentiality are essential to effective care.
Caring for adolescent clients can be multifaceted and complex. Accurate, comprehensive, and current medical, dental, and social histories are essential for diagnosis, treatment planning, and safe, effective care. A thorough understanding of the client’s medical history also helps reduce the risk of aggravating an existing medical condition during oral health care. Health history forms should allow adolescents to provide relevant information about topics such as gender, diet, piercings, and risk-taking behaviours, including tobacco, alcohol, and substance use and sexual activity.
This best practice document by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
provides general recommendations for addressing distinct oral health needs of adolescents. It includes specific guidance on dental caries, fluoride use, oral hygiene, dietary management, sealants, professional preventive care, restorative dentistry, periodontal disease, malocclusions, third molars, temporomandibular joint disorders, congenitally missing teeth, ectopic eruption, traumatic injuries, and aesthetic concerns. It also addresses psychosocial development and external influences on behaviour and mental health.
Read the full best practice document here.
