UWMC Supporting Dental Health for Children

DID YOU KNOW?

• 40% of children have cavities by the time they enter kindergarten

• More than 50% of children ages 5 to 9 had at least one cavity or filling

• Poor children had twice as much tooth decay as their more affluent peers, and they were less likely to receive treatment.
(Surgeon General’s report)

Tooth decay remains the most common chronic disease among all American children – 5 times more common than asthma.  Untreated tooth decay can cause pain, loss of teeth, impaired speech, school absences, impaired nutrition and health as well as affect a child’s self-esteem—problems that can impact a child’s quality of life and ability to succeed in school and beyond.

Here in New Jersey the lack of access to dental care is at a critical point.  A recent report by the Pew Charitable Trust on access to dental care for children identified New Jersey as the worst performer of all states, giving our state an “F”.  New Jersey is just one of two states in the Northeast to receive a failing grade and stands out in the region for its lack of investment in fluoridated water and school-based sealant programs.

In response to this serious issue, United Way of Monmouth County (UWMC) has partnered with Jersey Shore University Medical Center to expand their Healthy Teeth for Happy Tots program through a $12,000, 4-year UWMC Community Impact Grant.  Healthy Teeth for Happy Tots helps prevent tooth decay in children by providing free basic dental assessments, fluoride varnish applications, and oral health education at Asbury Park and Neptune preschools.  Over the course of a year, each preschool will be visited twice with every child receiving an assessment and fluoride varnish application each time.  All dental services are provided by JSUMC pediatric and dental residents.

The application of fluoride varnish treatments every six months has been shown to be effective in the prevention of cavities in both children and adolescents.  Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel, making it more resistant to acid breakdown.  By strengthening tooth enamel, fluoride helps prevent tooth decay and stops the progression of cavities that have already started.  The protective effects of these fluoride treatments can last for several months.

Healthy Teeth for Happy Tots also provides oral health education to children and their families.  The program teaches them how to establish and maintain good oral hygiene habits and make good dietary choices, as well as establishes children a “dental home,” if they do not already have a regular dentist.

In its first three months of operation (October - December 2010), JSUMC has provided dental screenings and education to over 400 preschool children with the help of the UWMC Community Impact grant.  Highlighting the critical need for dental access, 78% of children who have been seen to date had to be referred to a dentist for additional dental care and, of those, 8% were identified as already having moderate to massive tooth decay.

If you would like more information on this initiative or our Community Impact work, please contact Christine Jagerburger, Director of Community Impact at cjagerburger@uwmonmouth.org or 732-938-5988 ext. 14.