The Pew Children’s Dental Campaign released the State of Children’s Dental Health Report that grades each state’s policy responses to the crisis in dental health among America’s children. Arizona raised its grade to a “B” for 2011. We made improvements in the share of high-risk schools that participate in the school-based sealant program. This can partly be attributed to our policy changes that expanded eligibility to schools at 50% and greater Free and Reduced School Lunch status.
While we’re moving in the right direction of implementing demonstrated policies to improve oral health, there’s still much more needed to move the oral health status of our population toward the Healthy People 2020 targets. Our Office of Oral Health addresses the prevention and control of oral disease through the Arizona School-based Sealant Program; the School Fluoride Mouthrinse Program; and developing workforce practice models.
Oral health is one of the neglected part of body care. It can be cured properly if the precaution is taken right from the roots. What better place than schools. Children are the most affected by oral problems due to over intake of candies, chocolates, and less care. The oral care team will spread awareness among them at a very right age and time.
As a dentist which is treating kids and teens almost every day I can say that kid’s Dental Health is still on very low level… And I would agree with Dr. Ducker that a proper propaganda for adequate nutrition is really a key for the future health.
Taking good care of our teeth as an adult is an easy responsibility to us. But when it comes to our kids, its another issue. I mean—my kids are usually lazy to brush their teeth and I still have to drag them to the sink just to do it. I’m glad that there’s such thing as Office of Oral Health.
There are many low cost and free dental clinics in Arizona, especially for kids. Parents need to spend the time and find and utilize these resources that are available.