Fluoridation Fails Georgia

According to "The Burden of Oral Health in Georgia" 92% of Georgians have access to fluoridated water through public community water systems.  Georgia also provides school-based dental sealant programs and fluoride programs as well as fluoride supplements.

Yet, 44% of 2-5 year-olds and 52% of 3rd graders have cavities 

33% of adults (35-44 years-old) had teeth extracted due to oral diseases

27% of  2-5 years  have untreated dental decay 

Oral Health Disparities Persist

The prevalence of tooth decay among children with low socio-economic status (SES) is 50% higher than the prevalence of tooth decay among children in high SES. 

Similarly, the prevalence of untreated tooth decay and need of dental care in children from low SES households was almost twice as high as children from high SES households. 

Hispanic children and children in rural areas have significantly higher prevalence of tooth decay (64% and 60% respectively), compared to non-Hispanic children and children in urban areas (50% and 48% respectively). 

 The proportion of non-Hispanic black and Hispanic high school students who visit an emergency room (ER) or urgent care center for oral or dental problems (10.3% each) is twice the proportion of non-Hispanic white high school students who visit an ER for the same problems (4.9%).