A recent study pointed to dental care as the most prevalent unmet health need among American children...

Don't Brush Off Importance of Children's Oral Health

A recent study pointed to dental care as the most prevalent unmet health need among American children.

CHICAGO – February 1, 2001 – February is National Children's Dental Health Month, but in children good oral care is critical every day. The first comprehensive study on the nation's oral health released recently by the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General calls dental and oral diseases a "silent epidemic," even in children. The report states that more than 51 million school hours are lost each year to dental-related illness. In fact, a recent study pointed to dental care as the most prevalent unmet health need among American children.

To help counter this, the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) is launching an effort to educate children and parents about the prevention of dental diseases - including periodontal disease - in children.

"This is important because oral problems can impact self-esteem for children and lead to problems eating, speaking and attending to learning," said Michael McGuire, D.D.S., president of the AAP.

Common dental problems seen in children are cavities and gingivitis, which is found in the majority of U.S. children. "When these problems are not caught early and treated, they can develop into more severe problems and cause unnecessary suffering," said McGuire. "However, much of the time, oral problems are avoidable problems."

In the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, a group of more than 120 dentists volunteers to deliver dental care to thousands of low-income children each year with its Mobile Dental Unit that travels from school to school.

"In the Rio Grand Valley, dental disease is the number one cause of absenteeism among elementary school children," said AAP member David Woolweaver, D.D.S., a periodontist and the program director for Dentists Who Care. "It's vitally important that all children see a dentist at an early age. I've found that those children see a dentist on a regular basis are the ones who take better care of their teeth and gums and don't have the significant problems that I often see in children who haven't seen a dentist previously."

"According to the Surgeon General's Report, about 37 percent of children have not had a dental visit before starting school," said McGuire. "When children don't see dental professionals they miss the opportunity to have problems caught early before they escalate into larger, more expensive problems to treat, and parents miss the opportunity to learn how to promote good oral habits in their children."

In addition to advising regular dental visits that include a periodontal examination, the AAP offers these tips to parents to help ensure good oral health in children:

About the AAP

The American Academy of Periodontology is an 8,000-member association of dental professionals specializing in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth and in the placement and maintenance of dental implants. Periodontics is one of nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association.

For more information, contact the AAP Public Affairs Department at 312/573-3242.

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