Did you know…
An estimated 17 million children in America go without dental care each year?
37% of NC kids entering kindergarten have had tooth decay?
That’s why good dental health–early–is so important. While it’s recommended that babies see a dentist by age 1, the reality is most kids don’t get to a dentist till age 4, 5 or even 6. Only 1.5% of 1-year-olds have had the recommended dental office visit compared with 89% who have had an office-based visit with their physician.
The importance of baby’s first visit to the dentist can be a really hard message to share with busy parents juggling home, work and children. The good news is, North Carolina’s “Into the Mouths of Babes” program has healthcare providers doing some of the basic dental health work, including a preliminary risk assessment and screening as well as fluoride varnish to protect kids’ teeth. Now, that’s news you can share with a swamped parent! They can ask for a dental check-up as part of a well-baby visit, with participating doctors.
To learn about how some doctors are helping kids have healthy smiles from Tooth Talk, the website about improving children’s dental health for early childhood educators and childcare providers, click on the new, short video “What’s New: Doctors & Baby Teeth.”
To see other Tooth Talk videos about children’s dental health, click on the Videos tab in the menu at the top of the page.
