Technique tips: the lap-to-lap (knee-to-knee) examination in paediatric dentistry

It is advised that all young children are brought to see a dentist as soon as their first teeth come through and ideally, before the age of one year.1 Early dental appointments are essential to monitor the oral health of the primary dentition, to instigate good oral hygiene habits and to familiarize the child with the dental setting, which is believed to reduce future anxiety.1^,2^,3 Unfortunately, only one in 10 children under the age of 2 years has had their first dental check up by their first birthday.4 Dental anxiety and phobia are common in paediatric patients, affecting 51% of pre-school children.5 Performing dental examinations on these young, and potentially anxious and uncooperative, children can be daunting for clinicians, particularly for those with limited experience in paediatric dentistry.