Thursday, June 30, 2011

Wisconsin is 90% fluoridated. "An estimated $1.12 million in free dental care was provided to 1,570 children and adults during 2,141 patient visits at the Wisconsin Dental Association and WDA Foundation’s third Mission of Mercy held June 24 and 25, at Greenheck Field House in Weston, Wis."

"Clinic doors opened at 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday with care concluding by 5:30 p.m. both days. A total of 8,033 dental procedures were performed, including 1,822 fillings, 1,756 teeth extracted, 593 cleanings and 22 root canals. Several dental labs worked with volunteer technicians to create 90 partial dentures."

Media-Newswire.com - Press Release Distribution - PR Agency

In 80% fluoridated "KING COUNTY, WA -- Troubling rates of preventable dental disease continue in King County children, particularly among those from low-income families, children of color and children whose primary language is not English, according to the most recent King County Smile Survey."

Media-Newswire.com - Press Release Distribution - PR Agency:

Sunday, June 26, 2011

#1 Untreated Disease in�Children - The Blogodontist - Soundentistry

Dental caries (tooth decay) is the number one untreated disease in children.

Each year, 52 million school hours are missed due to dental-related issues. Untreated tooth decay leads to problems with learning, sleeping, eating and growing. Nearly 80 percent of childhood tooth decay occurs in 20 percent of children.

Nationwide, 30 to 50 percent of 4- and 5-year-olds in Head Start already have tooth decay. Surprisingly, the number of children getting cavities is increasing; low-income individuals are disproportionately affected by dental disease and most do not have access to dental care."

Free dental clinic serves about 1,000 in first day - WAOW - Newsline 9, Wausau News, Weather, Sports

Wisconsin is 90% fluoridated, "More than 950 volunteers filled the Greenheck Field House, turning it into one giant dentist's office. Hundreds of people wait their turn for the chance to get care they couldn't afford otherwise."

Free dental clinic serves about 1,000 in first day - WAOW - Newsline 9, Wausau News, Weather, Sports

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Study: Tooth decay abundant in W.Va. 3rd graders

Study: Tooth decay abundant in W.Va. 3rd graders and West Virginia is 92% fluoridated.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Many blame dental care woes on Medicaid, not shortage | TBO.com

Despite a high rate of fluoridation in Florida, "A study he did in 2006 showed that dental infections over a year's time in Florida led to 1,200 hospital admissions that cost the state more than $1 million"

Fluoridation was supposed to put dentists out of business; but after decades of water fluoridation, Florida wants to build more dental schools

Many blame dental care woes on Medicaid, not shortage | TBO.com:

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Free dental care gives uninsured a reason to smile

San Francisco is fluoridated: "A dentist and assistants extracted more than 45 teeth and filled at least 50 cavities during 140 appointments in the 40-foot dental van since setting up at Glide on June 6. Many of the patients had been waiting for months for the chance to see a dentist."

Free dental care gives uninsured a reason to smile:

Friday, June 17, 2011

Maine Voices: New study of the dental needs of Maine people will help a lot | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

Maine is 80% fluoridated. Yet, tooth decay is rampant.

"You only have to go door-to-door once to hear a story you wish you hadn't. Horrific stories about actions taken by individuals to address the pain they suffer from oral disease. The numbers are staggering.

• More than 46 percent of MaineCare kids don't have access to oral health care.

• More than 20 percent of Maine third-graders have untreated cavities.

• Each of Maine's 16 counties has a federally designated oral health shortage area.

• Some estimates suggest nearly 250,000 Mainers, around one in five, don't have a dentist.

• Who suffers from lack of dental care? People in rural Maine, low-income people, seniors and veterans, and many others."

Maine Voices: New study of the dental needs of Maine people will help a lot | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram:

Dental care called a health care crisis | PressDemocrat.com

“Tooth decay is rampant. One third of all kids in school have visible decay,” she said.

"...almost no private practice dentists in the area will accept their coverage. At the same time, state budget cuts to dental programs and a recession that has left many local residents without private dental insurance has “pushed Sonoma County's fragile oral health ‘system' to the breaking point,” the report said.

The report highlights a number of factors that have led to the current troubles. Denti-Cal (Medi-Cal's dental program) no longer pays for adult dental treatment; Medicare does not cover routine dental care for the elderly; and most private practice dentists will not see children with Denti-Cal because of low reimbursement rates.

Tapping dentists in private care like Tomaszewskito do more to close the dental care gap is among the major goals of the task force report."

Dental care called a health care crisis | PressDemocrat.com

Thursday, June 02, 2011

Primary care clinicians the missing link in oral health disparities - The Clinical Advisor

"ECC is a public-health crisis, according to Gonsalves. Although actual disease prevalence is relatively low, affecting about 5% U.S. children, it disproportionately affects those that are low income, with a prevalence rate ranging from 30% to 50% in this population. To put it in perspective, 80% of decay occurs in 20% of the nation's children."

Primary care clinicians the missing link in oral health disparities - The Clinical Advisor: