Promoting Children's Dental Health
March 19, 2019Information
Grace Castillo
The Roger Barnett Public Health Video Challenge 2019
- 00:02You know tooth decay is one of the main childhood diseases.
- 00:06So much has changed in the 56 years since Dr.
- 00:09Spock recorded this clip,
- 00:11but sadly, his message still rings true for kids today.
- 00:14Tooth decay occurs when bacteria eat away at the outer layers of the
- 00:18teeth causing cavities,
- 00:20infection, and even tooth loss
- 00:22and potential cardiac disease.
- 00:25About 20 percent of American kids are living
- 00:27with untreated tooth decay. Tooth decay can be a problem for any child.
- 00:31But kids from low income families bear a disproportionate burden.
- 00:35Kids' dental health has both an immediate
- 00:37and long term impact.
- 00:38For some kids it's a big social stigma.
- 00:41If they have teeth that are broken
- 00:44or obviously you know patients come from a state of tooth decay,
- 00:47they're embarrassed.
- 00:49Tooth decay is highly preventable.
- 00:51So why is it still such a problem?
- 00:53In part, the benefits of fluoridation have been countered by increased
- 00:57sugar intake. But the greatest barrier to kids dental health
- 01:00remains access to care.
- 01:02In 2011, 10 million American kids lacked
- 01:06dental insurance.
- 01:08That that access to care
- 01:10and affordability is critical if we're going to have the prevention.
- 01:15All kids deserve to have a healthy smile.
- 01:18We can help by expanding access to care through the school system.
- 01:22School-based dental health programs have shown great success.
- 01:25Let's work together to make sure every kid has a healthy smile.