February is National Children’s Dental Health Month
Even though cavities are almost entirely preventable, too many Colorado kids have them.
In fact, 40% of Colorado kindergarteners and more than half of Colorado third graders experience cavities.
Caries, which causes cavities, is the number one chronic childhood disease.
Over one million school hours are missed each year by Colorado children due to oral health problems. Dental problems are also costly. Coloradans spent approximately $1 billion on dental services in 2012.
Oral health affects children’s overall health, including their physical and psychologic health, and can influence how people grow, enjoy life and socialize, as well as their feelings of social well-being.
Let’s continue to help and improve oral health care for all children in Colorado through community water fluoridation, school-based dental programs (sealants, fluoride varnish, dental screenings and education), in addition to other integrative programs in formerly non-traditional settings. Cavity Free at Three is a program that strives to reach children under the age of three through their primary care medical professionals.
For more information about oral health facts and oral health programs, use the links below.
http://oralhealthcolorado.org/
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/PW_OH_Chew-On-This.pdf
http://www.nea.org/grants/National-Childrens-Dental-Health-Month.htm
https://www.cdc.gov/OralHealth/index.html
