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Home / Journal of Dentistry for Children, Volume 87, Number 3

Open Access The Importance of Supervising Toothbrush Usage for Young Children at Risk of Lead Toxicity

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Authors: Jee, Sandra H. 1 ; Miller, Richard K. 2 ; Perez-D'Gregorio, Rogelio 3 ; Becker, Jennifer D. 4 ; Schaffer, Stanley J. 5 ; 

Source: Journal of Dentistry for Children, Volume 87, Number 3, September-December 2020, pp. 175-178(4)

Publisher: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

This article is Open Access under the terms of the Creative Commons CC BY licence.

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Lead exposure in childhood causes lasting deleterious health effects through multi-system organ toxicity, including in brain, skeletal system, and oral cavity. We report a case that illustrates the imperative for providers to give specific anticipatory guidance on supervising toothbrush usage for young children. A healthy 18-month-old male presented for routine well-child care and had an unremarkable physical exam and developmental assessment. Two days after his routine visit, his blood lead test result was more than 180 mcg/dL (acceptable level is less than five mcg/dL). Upon review of his home environment, the mode of exposure was determined to be the child rubbing his toothbrush against the window well and putting the toothbrush in his mouth, thus causing exposure to lead dust. Health care and dental providers who advocate for toothbrushing have a responsibility to provide specific guidance on toothbrush usage for toddlers with hand-to-mouth behavior.

Keywords: CHILDREN; LEAD TOXICITY; PARENTING; PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY; TOOTHBRUSH

Document Type: Case Report

Affiliations: 1: Dr. Jee is an associate professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA;, Email: [email protected] 2: Dr. Miller is a professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Environmental Medicine, and Pathology and Clinical Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA 3: Dr. Perez-D'Gregorio is a research assistant professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA 4: Ms. Becker is a project coordinator, Finger Lakes Children's Environmental Health Cente and Western New York Lead Poisoning Resource Center – Rochester Office, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA 5: Dr. Schaffer is a professor, Department of Pediatrics and Center for Community Health and Prevention, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA

Publication date: 01 September 2020

More about this publication?
  • Acquired after the merger between the American Society of Dentistry for Children and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry in 2002, the Journal of Dentistry for Children (JDC) is an internationally renowned journal whose publishing dates back to 1934. Published three times a year, JDC promotes the practice, education and research specifically related to the specialty of pediatric dentistry. It covers a wide range of topics related to the clinical care of children, from clinical techniques of daily importance to the practitioner, to studies on child behavior and growth and development. JDC also provides information on the physical, psychological and emotional conditions of children as they relate to and affect their dental health.
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