One in five US children lacks access to dental care | Dental Tribune International

After 65 years of water fluoridation in the United States, "A recent report from the Pew Center on the States paints a sad picture about the oral health of many children in the United States. The paper — titled ‘The Cost of Delay: State Dental Policies Fail One in Five Children’ — claims that millions of disadvantaged children suffer from sub-par dental health yet do not have access to adequate dental care. It also states that the lack of access to care could affect kids throughout their childhoods and into their adult lives."

Dental Experts Too Much Fluoride Is Bad For Babies.flv

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In 1977, fluoridation was mandated in Kentucky. In 2004, Kentucky was the nation’s leader of people 65 or older who are missing teeth. Twenty-seven percent of all Kentuckians had lost six or more teeth to decay and gum disease,compared to 18 percent nationally.

A 2001 study found that nearly 40 percent of Kentucky children had never seen a dentist and that
half the state’s children had decay in their primary teeth. The governor also pointed out that only 28 of the state’s 120 counties have pediatric dentists.

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Bridge to Healthy Smiles |

Bridge to Healthy Smiles |:

In Illinois, where fluoridation is state-mandated: "55 percent of third graders have experienced cavities, 30 percent have untreated cavities, and four percent have urgent treatment needs. In Cook County, 64 percent of third graders have experienced cavities and 38 percent have untreated cavities."

49% of people in Illinois, over 65, have lost six or more teeth due to decay or gum disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control

Patients Overwhelm Free Dental Clinic - News- msnbc.com

In Connecticut where fluoridation has been state-mandated for decades: "More than 1,000 dentists, oral surgeons, hygienists and others are volunteering their time this weekend for the third annual Connecticut Mission of Mercy"

So many people showed up for a free dental clinic in Middletown on Friday morning that dentists starting seeing patients before the doors were even scheduled to open.

Lines started forming at 7 p.m. on Thursday night for a clinic that was to open at 8 a.m. on Friday and so many people showed up that doors opened at 7 a.m. and the clinic had already reached capacity.

There is a big need in this state, where one million people lack dental insurance. People waiting said they are having problems finding work or finding work that provides dental insurance, so the free dental care helps.

Report shows 1 in 3 South Dakota children has untreated tooth decay - Black Hills South Dakota News & Video Health & Medical on Black Hills Today

South Dakota is 95% fluoridated: "According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 3 South Dakota third graders have untreated tooth decay. The National Oral Health Surveillance System ranks South Dakota as the eighth highest in the nation for children with untreated decay."

Tooth Decay Increases in Children - IBTHealth - Health Guide For the Modern Lifestyle

Australia is about 75% fluoridated: "A recent study done by the Child Health Survey released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has found that nearly 50 percent of all children aged six experienced tooth decay."

"The study found that decay in the permanent teeth of children of 12 to 15 years of age was seen in 40 and 57 percent of the children. There was tooth decay in five or six permanent teeth of 10 percent of teenagers.

In children aged six, almost half of them had tooth decay with an average of 2 baby teeth affected. In children of four to six years old, the decay was found in more than 9 of their baby teeth."

Few dentists in Florida willing to deal with Medicaid | news-press.com | The News-Press

Few dentists in Florida willing to deal with Medicaid

"Florida exceeds treatment targets in only two of eight areas: the percentage of residents receiving fluoridated water (77.7 percent) and the fact dentists are reimbursed for preventative care."

"Dawson, who works as a legal assistant in Fort Myers, said she cannot afford the $1,100 monthly premiums for private insurance.

She said her children have developed a number of cavities and one had a dangerous tooth abscess that later had to be treated at a hospital."