Oral Health in Children Article List

* Tooth decay and oral diseases are significant problems for children, particularly those at lower income levels. 80 percent of all tooth decay is found in 25 percent of the population, generally among those with lower incomes.

* The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recently reported that treatment of dental decay has a significantly positive effect on children's appetites, sleep patterns and behavior.

* New oral health research demonstrates that the bacteria which cause cavities can be transmitted from mother to baby.

* Periodontal disease in mothers contributes to low-birth-weight, pre-term infants.

* 20 percent of counties served by Kansas Head Start have only one dentist or no dentist at all. 54 percent have only one or no dentist who accepts Medicaid patients.

* 40 percent of Kansas Head Start programs have less access to dental services for their children than they did five years ago.

* Two-thirds of Kansas Head Start children have to wait at least 3 weeks for a dental appointment. One in four children has to wait for 6 weeks to 6 months.

* 63 percent of Head Start children have to travel out of their counties to get dental care. The average travel distance is 30 miles (one way).

* 454 dentists are enrolled in the Medicaid program statewide, but only 35 see 60 to 70 percent of Medicaid patients.

* Kansas Head Start programs can now enroll as Medicaid providers and bill Medicaid directly, so that dentists don't have to handle the paperwork.

Recent Information from the Surgeon General's Conference on Children's Oral Health:

* Caries (dental cavities) are the #1 childhood disease in the U.S. Tooth caries and gum disease affect the overall health of both children and adults.

* Oral health and dental care need to be integrated into our overall concept of health and into our health system.

* Frequent snacking, particularly of sugary, sticky foods, is a contributor to decay. Soda pop is a major culprit because it also contains acid which helps form plaque.

* While the majority of significant oral health problems in children are among those from lower-income families, oral health is a concern for all our children. Oral disease must be viewed as preventable, and we must work to ensure that children are screened and treated, and that they and their families receive education in preventing decay and disease.

Resources:
* "Lift the Lip" Video in English or Spanish teaches parents and caregivers a simple procedure for screening infants' and toddlers' teeth. Copies are available from WALWICA, 16901 76th Ave. W., Edmonds, WA 98026 Phone: 425-745-8820. One - nine copies: $ 7.00 each.
* Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs: www.amchp.org
* National Institute of Child Health and Development: www.nichd.nih.gov for "Milk Matters" calcium education materials

If you are interested in specific types of oral health materials, please contact Mary Baskett at the Kansas Head Start Association, ksheadstart@aol.com or 913-649-0098.



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oralhealth.htm/revised September 21, 2000
Created and maintained by Chuck Smith