Early Childhood Dental Care

Our nation is in the midst of an oral health crisis and its primary victims are children. Currently, the most widespread childhood disease is cavities. Oral disease impacts the lives of children every day, impairing their ability to learn in school due to needless pain, contributing to other illnesses, and impeding their long term development.

In today's economy, many families cannot afford dental care and their children are suffering. The Institute for Oral Health calls on the health care community to make paradigm shifts in our dental care system to stem this rising oral health crisis.

In 2006, IOH hosted their first annual national conference in Seattle, WA focused on this theme. Download the 2006 Conference WHITEPAPER >>

NEWS: Most States Fail Children’s Dental Health Care

The Cost of Delay: State Dental Policies Fail One in Five Children

An estimated one in five low-income children in America goes without dental care each year, often due to lack of access.  Many children suffer from more serious health risks and chronic school absence as a result of untreated dental health problems that could have been prevented with the proper care. 

In our report, we assessed and graded all 50 states and the District of Columbia, using an A-F scale, on whether and how well they are employing eight proven and promising policy approaches at their disposal to ensure dental health and access to care for children.  These policies include preventative measures (such as sealants and fluoridation), expanded access to Medicaid, and innovative workforce models.

Only six states merited “A” grades: Connecticut, Iowa, Maryland, New Mexico, Rhode Island and South Carolina We awarded 33 states and the District of Columbia a grade of “C” or below. Nine of those states earned an “F,” meeting only one or two policy benchmarks: Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, New Jersey, Hawaii, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Wyoming. 

This report serves as a warning sign — and a wake-up call — for policy-makers to take action.  If you have any questions about the report, please contact Andy Snyder, Senior Associate, Pew Children’s Dental Campaign, at (202) 552-2155.  The report can be found at: www.pewcenteronthestates.org/costofdelay

Shelly Gehshan
Director, Pew Children’s Dental Campaign