A recent study had some unsettling results.
23% of children aged 2-5 had dental caries in primary teeth.
3 of 5 adolescents aged 12-19 had dental caries in permanent teeth. 15% had untreated dental decay.
Those numbers show that we have work to do when it comes to children’s dental health.
So there’s absolutely no better time to take part in the American Dental Association’s 75th National Children’s Dental Health Month.
The NCDHM theme this year is “sugar wars” and the ADA has plenty of material for dental professionals to share with young patients and their families on the ADA website. This includes posters, a planning guide, activity sheets for kids, and tips for getting the word out on this special month.
You are on the frontlines of educating kids (and their parents) on the importance of forming healthy dental habits early. You’ve got the expert voices to turn those statistics around.
So take the time to spread the word, put up posters, post tips on winning the “sugar war” on your FaceBook pages, take an extra minute to teach proper brushing technique.
The kids will thank you.
Source:
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db191.htm
http://www.ada.org/en/public-programs/national-childrens-dental-health-month/
