Addressing Access to Dental Care
by Scott Jacks, DDS
Access to dental care for many children in Santa Clara County has historically been a challenge; and yet the need has been significant. The signs of dental neglect in children can be seen during free dental screenings given at schools and health fairs throughout the County.
The evidence of dental need in the United States was described in the year 2000 by the Surgeon General’s report on Oral Health in America. In the report it stated, “dental caries is the single most common chronic childhood disease – 5 times more common than asthma and 7 times more common then hay fever.” In 2003, I co-authored a Dental Association Journal article which stated, “the social impact of oral disease in children is substantial.
Nationally, more than 51 million school hours are lost each year to dental related illness. Poor children suffer 12 times more restricted activity days than children from higher income families. Pain and suffering due to untreated dental disease can lead to problems in eating, speaking, attending and learning.” Another significant finding of the report is that 25% of poor children have not seen a dentist before entering Kindergarten.
These statistics also hold true in our community. Fortunately, in June of 2008 improved access to dental care in Santa Clara County took a positive step forward with the opening of the Children’s Dental Center, a collaborative project of the Santa Clara Health Trust and Children’s Dental Group. With it’s 6,000 square foot facility, located in the Tropicana Shopping Center, and a staff of 6 dentists, it has made a significant impact on improving the dental health of poor children in the County by increasing access to dental care in a fun and exciting environment. The office is able to see multiple dental emergencies everyday, in addition to the children who have scheduled appointments. Many of these children need to miss school so that their dental problems can be addressed and solved.
In the 18 months since its opening, The Children’s Dental Center has treated almost 10,000 children with over 16,000 patient visits. The team has performed over 23,000 restorative procedures and 5,000 extractions.
On a national level, The American Dental Association has just reported that that they have embarked on an ambitious project to “instruct and inspire pediatrician oral health advocates at the national, state and local levels and assist them in identifying the oral health needs of babies and toddlers being seen for well-child visits.” This development should definitely lead to improved access to dental care both in our county and nationwide.
While there is much more work to be done, and achieving community water fluoridation is a big piece of the solution as well. The Children’s Dental Center is pleased Santa Clara County has begun a major step forward in addressing this Countywide need.
Access to dental care for many children in Santa Clara County has historically been a challenge; and yet the need has been significant. The signs of dental neglect in children can be seen during free dental screenings given at schools and health fairs throughout the County.
The evidence of dental need in the United States was described in the year 2000 by the Surgeon General’s report on Oral Health in America. In the report it stated, “dental caries is the single most common chronic childhood disease – 5 times more common than asthma and 7 times more common then hay fever.” In 2003, I co-authored a Dental Association Journal article which stated, “the social impact of oral disease in children is substantial.
Nationally, more than 51 million school hours are lost each year to dental related illness. Poor children suffer 12 times more restricted activity days than children from higher income families. Pain and suffering due to untreated dental disease can lead to problems in eating, speaking, attending and learning.” Another significant finding of the report is that 25% of poor children have not seen a dentist before entering Kindergarten.
These statistics also hold true in our community. Fortunately, in June of 2008 improved access to dental care in Santa Clara County took a positive step forward with the opening of the Children’s Dental Center, a collaborative project of the Santa Clara Health Trust and Children’s Dental Group. With it’s 6,000 square foot facility, located in the Tropicana Shopping Center, and a staff of 6 dentists, it has made a significant impact on improving the dental health of poor children in the County by increasing access to dental care in a fun and exciting environment. The office is able to see multiple dental emergencies everyday, in addition to the children who have scheduled appointments. Many of these children need to miss school so that their dental problems can be addressed and solved.
In the 18 months since its opening, The Children’s Dental Center has treated almost 10,000 children with over 16,000 patient visits. The team has performed over 23,000 restorative procedures and 5,000 extractions.
On a national level, The American Dental Association has just reported that that they have embarked on an ambitious project to “instruct and inspire pediatrician oral health advocates at the national, state and local levels and assist them in identifying the oral health needs of babies and toddlers being seen for well-child visits.” This development should definitely lead to improved access to dental care both in our county and nationwide.
While there is much more work to be done, and achieving community water fluoridation is a big piece of the solution as well. The Children’s Dental Center is pleased Santa Clara County has begun a major step forward in addressing this Countywide need.