Friday, February 24, 2006
One out of four children in California elementary schools have untreated tooth decay, which can lead to severe problems if allowed to worsen, a new study reveals.
An estimated 138,000 kids -- 4 percent of elementary school students -- are in such pain from rotting teeth, abscesses and oral infections they need to see a dentist within 24 hours.
Yet many suffer quietly, forgoing treatment because their families lack insurance, don't realize the importance of dental care or can't afford it.
These are among the serious findings of a statewide survey released today by the Dental Health Foundation.
Teams of dentists, hygienists, dental assistants and nurses traveled to schools throughout the state from February to June last year to peer in the mouths of 21,000 kindergartners and third-graders.
"To be candid, we were shocked," said foundation Chairman Dave Perry in an introduction to the report.
"While there are children in some high-income schools that have never had a cavity, in other schools there are kids in weakening, chronic pain in every classroom," he said.
Similar surveys were conducted in 24 other states. California had the second-worst record for prevalence of tooth decay, topping only Arkansas.
posted by kanth
@ 11:00 PM
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