Most US states lack dental measures

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A new study has revealed that most states in America lack policies which ensure access to preventative dentistry.

Research by the Pew Center graded states on their dental health policies and found that only six received a grade A.

The study suggested that even in these states there were still problems accessing dental care and that one in five children in US go without dental care.

Pew Children’s Dental Campaign director Shelly Gehshan said that American’s are likely to spend around $106billion on dental care in 2010 on expensive treatments like fillings or root canals.

She also claimed that protecting teeth during childhood, where these problems originate, could prevent this huge cost.

The survey graded states on school dental sealant schemes, fluoridated water and Medicaid programs.

It discovered that only 17 states had programs to use sealants to protect children’s cavities in 25% low-income schools.

It also found that just 26 had 75% of their population’s water supplies fluoridated and that many dentists weren’t willing to accept Medicaid.

South Carolina was ranked best in the study as it has the most dental policies in place.

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