1) Is there really a “dental crisis” among school-age kids?

Absolutely. Children across the U.S. do not receive the dental care they need, due to a lack of education, finances, and transportation. 80% of dental disease affects 25% of children, resulting in 51 million hours of lost school hours per year.

According to Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General, kids that suffer from dental issues are insecure and don’t talk, smile, or participate as often in school activities. Thus, dental disease is a “silent epidemic” because it often goes unnoticed in schools, children have limited access to dental exams, and they lack education about oral care and treatment options.

Believe it or not, dental disease can even result in death! See this startling article.

2) Which kids are at the greatest risk?

Children from low-income families have the most dental problems. 41% of third graders have untreated tooth decay and 14% suffer from pain and infection. The Surgeon General reports that children from poor families suffer from twice as many cavities as middle-class children. Lower class children are less likely to receive treatment because they may be uninsured and their parents cannot take time off to bring them to a dentist.

3) Does a shortage of dentists exist in the U.S.?

According to the ADA, 152,000 dentists practice in the U.S. This may seem like a lot, but more than a third of them are nearing retirement. The number of recent graduates from dental school does not make up for those exiting the profession. There is a shortage of professors at dental schools because financial gains are far greater in private practice and many colleges are struggling to maintain current operations. Approximately 31 million people live in areas with a shortage of dentists.

4) Why school-based care?

Dental visits can be scary for kids. Getting care in a familiar place eases that anxiety. Students also miss less class time when their treatments are being coordinated through their school.

5) What are some of the long-term benefits of Oral Health Impact Project?

Kids exposed to quality dental care are proud of their teeth and smiles. Higher self-esteem means greater confidence in all aspects of school and life.
The habits that children learn through the Program are brought home to their families and, over time, to their own children. This helps “break the chain of dental disease.”
Students who have been through our Program are more likely to pursue dental careers, which can help ease the dental shortage and, in turn, provide more high-quality care for communities.