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The Bad!!. Dental Health in the Classroom. The Good. By: Maria , Charles, and Josh. Facts About American Dental Health.
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The Bad!! Dental Health in the Classroom The Good By: Maria , Charles, and Josh
Facts About American Dental Health • A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found 42 percent of kids aged 6 to 19 had had a cavity or filling in their permanent teeth when examined between 1999 and 2002…" Medline Plus, August 25,2005 • "Although dental caries (tooth decay) is largely preventable, it remains the most common chronic disease of children aged 5 to 17 years—5 times more common than asthma (59% versus 11%)." CDC, 2005 • "Poor children have nearly 12 times more restricted-activity days because of dental-related illness than children from higher-income families. Pain and suffering due to untreated tooth decay can lead to problems in eating, speaking, and attending to learning." CDC, 2005 • "An estimated 75% of Americans reportedly have some form of periodontal disease." The American Dental Hygienists' Association - 4/02 • "Dental caries (tooth decay) is the single most chronic childhood disease - 5 times more common than asthma and 7 times more common than hay fever."Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General" - 4/02 • "Over 108 million children and adults lack dental insurance, which is over 2.5 times the number who lack medical insurance." Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General, 5/01
Just How Bad is it? • 50% of Americans lack dental insurance. • 77% of those without dental insurance delay regular dental care. • 74% of the noninsured only see a dentist when there’s a perceived problem. • On average, the uninsured go to the dentist only once every three years. • About half of uninsured parents report delaying children’s regular check-ups because of financial burdens. • The Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta report that cavity rates are up 15 percent in children ages 2 to 5 in the last decade. The U.S. Surgeon General’s office notes that an estimated 51 million school hours are lost each year because of children’s dental-related illnesses.
What to Look For • Discoloration in teeth • Deterioration of teeth • Pain while eating
Further Information • http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6900318 • http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video?id=6870419
What Can We As Teachers Do? • Some Cases of Lack of Dental Care is Considered CHILD ABUSE!!! • Teachers need to be aware of the signs: • Winces of Pain • Lack of Desire to Eat • Sudden lack of verbal involvement in class • Change in Overall Attitude What can we do to be Proactive ?
Steps Teachers Can Take! • Work With Your Community • At a school in North Carolina: • Educators collected: • 1,000 tubes of toothpaste • 1,400 toothbrushes • More than 3,400 other oral hygiene items! Make Dental Hygiene a Part of Health Class Curriculum