Introduction: Prevention of caries in primary dentition requires multidisciplinary efforts and good child rearing practices. Anticipatory guidance becomes case specific in cases of dental neglect amongst preschool children. It requires management at both the parental and patient level.
Case report: Anticipatory guidance is proactive counselling of parents and patients about daily care of teeth when talking about caries prevention. Present cases of dental neglect need anticipatory guidance for caries prevention in newly erupted teeth and development of regular oral health practices in children supported by parents. Communication, education, and motivation to guide the parents and children were carried out in these dental neglect cases of severe early childhood caries (SECC). Pit and fissure sealants are used as primary preventive method for caries prevention in primary molars and permanent molars. Customized anticipatory guidance is required in cases suffering from severe dental neglect due to SECC.
Conclusion: Organized case-specific anticipatory guidance is needed to prevent caries progression in children with dental neglect.
Keywords: Early childhood caries, dental neglect, anticipatory guidance
