Pediatricians can help improve the oral health of children
By Dr. Ben Danielson
Over the last five years Washington has made remarkable progress to improve children’s oral health. The percentage of preschoolers from low-income families with untreated tooth decay has been cut in half and untreated cavities declined significantly among third graders.
These results from the recently released 2010 Smile Survey, a statewide assessment of children’s oral health conducted every five years, point to the value of targeted efforts to prevent dental disease and improve access to care.
But the Smile Survey also revealed areas of concern. Disparities in children’s oral health remain. Low-income and minority children still have much higher tooth decay rates than the statewide average. Children just starting school also have an unacceptable rate of tooth decay (40 percent of Kindergarteners) affecting their ability to learn.
As pediatric providers we have the ability to help improve children’s oral health. Everyday, we work to prevent diseases before early symptoms become more severe and impair a child’s overall health. That responsibility should extend to preventing dental disease. When it comes to children’s health, the mouth should not be separated from the rest of the body.
Children with dental disease may be in pain, find it difficult to thrive socially, and often performs poorly in school. A child with untreated decay can have difficulty eating and sleeping and may experience delayed speech. Evidence shows that early intervention prevents dental disease and improves the overall health of children.
While dental disease is preventable, it is the most prevalent chronic disease of childhood. Yet for too long pediatricians have looked right past the teeth into the throat. Fortunately in our state this is changing.
There is increasing focus on incorporating oral health into well-child checkups. Pediatricians usually see a child up to 11 times for well-child checks before age three. These early years are a critical time to discuss with parents the importance of preventing dental disease and to provide preventive services that help protect a child’s oral health.
More than 1,850 primary care medical providers in Washington have already been trained to deliver oral health preventive services to young children. Washington Dental Service Foundation offers a free CME for primary care medical providers that focuses on improving the oral health of young patients. The 90-minute training is delivered in primary care offices, usually over lunch.
Both Medicaid and Washington Dental Service, the state’s largest dental benefits company, reimburse physicians for delivering oral health preventive services. Offices that complete the training are eligible to receive enhanced Medicaid reimbursements. For more details, go to kidsoralhealth.org.
The Smile Survey shows that although progress has been made, more work needs to be done to prevent dental disease. It is especially important to work to eliminate oral health disparities. All children deserve good oral — and overall — health. Ensuring pediatricians are trained to pay attention to the mouth is an important step in the right direction.
Improving Children’s Oral Health during Well-Child Checks
· Screen for early signs of decay including white spots at the gum line.
· Assess risk for dental disease.
· Discuss anticipatory guidance related to oral hygiene and nutrition.
· Apply fluoride varnish if child is at risk.
· Refer children to a dentist if there is any concern.
CONTACT FOR FREE CME TRAINING:
To schedule a CME training, call Madlen Caplow at Washington Dental Service Foundation at (206) 473-9542 or mcaplow@deltadentalwa.com.