Report suggests children are not visiting the dentist regularly
A report has revealed that almost half of school-aged children in West Virginia do not see a dentist on a regular basis.
The statistics, which were published by the Center for Rural Health, also showed that 43 percent of children had untreated decay.
The report reflects findings across the USA, with an increasing number of children suffering from dental health issues; emergency department staff have reported a significant increase in the number of young people being treated for severe dental pain and extensive decay, with children as young as 2 being admitted for treatment.
Dentists attribute the high figures for decay to a combination of factors, including poor oral hygiene, failing to visit the dentist regularly and a diet filled with sweet, sugary and acidic foods and drinks. Nowadays, children are surrounded by sweet treats and fizzy drinks, which are filled with sugar. Sugary and acidic foods weaken the enamel surfaces of the teeth, meaning that the teeth are susceptible to decay and erosion. Rising dental costs and a lack of insurance also prevent parents from taking their children to see the dentist on a regular basis; free clinics help to treat some people but the demand far outweighs the supply.
The West Virginia School Community Partnership offers children free treatments, including fluoride treatments, cleaning, examinations and sealants; over the course of the last year, over 2,000 children have been treated by the partnership, which is funded by a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Benedum Foundation. Oral health coordinator at Marshall University said that the project is working to provide care for children; however, parents must make the effort to encourage their children to look after their teeth and gums.
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