The results indicate that Utah children have healthier teeth today when compared to five years ago. Overall
dental decay fell from 55% in 2005 to 51% in 2010 for children ages 6
to 8. Untreated decay has decreased as well, from 21% in 2005 to 17% in
2010, which is substantially better than the federal Healthy People 2010
goal of 21%. However, dental
sealants (thin, plastic coatings applied to the surfaces of the back
teeth to prevent decay) remain underused in Utah. The study found just
36% of 8-year-olds had sealants, compared to 45% in 2005.
Among
6- to 9-year-old children who received a dental screening, more than
half (52%) had prior tooth decay, while close to one-fifth (17%) had
current untreated cavities. Just over a quarter (26%) of children had sealants present on a least one permanent molar. Of those screened, 2% had extensive tooth decay, infection, and/or pain.
“This
means these children needed urgent dental care,” says State Dental
Director Dr. Steven J. Steed. “If we take that two percent sample and
apply it across the state, we believe there are more than 2,600 first,
second and third graders who need to see a dentist today.”
Poverty and lack of dental insurance have repeatedly been shown to affect oral health status. More
than one-fifth (22%) of parents surveyed in 2010 reported their child
had no dental insurance, and 13% said there was a time during the past
year when their child needed dental care but was unable to get it. The reasons most frequently cited for not getting care were “could not afford it” and “no insurance”.
Children
with private dental insurance were also less likely than the uninsured
to have filled or unfilled cavities or to have lost a tooth due to decay
(45% vs. 55%). Untreated decay
was twice as prevalent (27% vs. 13%) among children without dental
insurance. And Hispanic and non-white children were more likely to have
unmet needs compared to the overall population surveyed.
“There
is a common belief among immigrants in the myth that it is inevitable
to lose most of your teeth at an early age,” said Mauricio Agramont,
Midvale Community Program Manager. “This is a direct result of a lack of
access to basic oral health information and preventive care,” he said.
“The gap in knowledge that Latino immigrants bring with them to this
country is passed on to their children, creating a vicious cycle of poor
dental health.”
Community
water fluoridation has been considered the cornerstone of dental decay
prevention and the most economical way to deliver the benefit of
fluoride to all residents of a community. The UDOH study found that
children who received long-term optimal levels of fluoride, either from
fluoridated water or supplements, had 42% fewer decayed and filled tooth
surfaces compared to children who had no fluoride exposure.
Although dental decay is preventable, it remains the most common chronic childhood disease. The
OHP promotes dental education and decay prevention methods such as
checkups, sealants, and fluoride (varnish, rinses, water, and
supplements) for all youth. For more information or a copy of the
complete report, contact the OHP at 801-538-9177 or visit the web site
at
