Colorado Children’s Oral Health

Katya Mauritson, DMDOral Health Unit DirectorColorado Department of Public Health and Environment

2006 2007 2008 2009 20100

1

2

3

4

5

2.1

2.9

1.6

2.8

3.4

Percent of Colorado parents reporting that their child (age 1 through 5) first went to the dentist by 12 months of age,2006-2010

Source: Colorado Child Health Survey, Health Statistics Section, CDPHE

Per

cent

Goal: 4.6% by 2016

2001-2002 2003-2004 2006-20070

10

20

30

40

50

2935.2 37.1

Percent of 3rd grade children in Colorado with sealants, Oral Health Basic Screening Survey

Per

cent

Source: Oral Health Program, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Sealants = Percentage of 3rd Grade Students with dental sealants on at least one permanent molar tooth

Goal: 39% by 2016

Toolkit for Promoting Maternal and Child Oral Health in Colorado Communities

http://www.oralhealthcolorado.org/new-toolkit-for-promoting-oral-health-in-colorado-communities

School Basic Screening Survey

Measures the oral health status:Current, untreated decayHistory of decayECC for kindergartnersSealants on permanent molars on 3rd graders

Urgency of dental needs

Referral links

High Five Break!!!

Oral Health Indicators in Kindergarten Children

Sources: Prevention Services Division. Chew on This: 2011 Report on Oral Health in Colorado, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 2011. The Impact of Oral Disease on the Health of Coloradans 2004. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 2005. Data cited from 2004, 2006-2007, and 2011-2012Basic Screening Survey.

Untreated Dental Decay Dental Caries Experience0%

10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

27%

46%

23%

45%

14%

40%

2004 2006-2007 2011-2012

Untreated Dental Decay Dental Caries Experience Sealants0%

10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

26.0%

57.0%

35.0%

24.5%

57.2%

37.1%

14.4%

55.2%

44.9%

Oral Health Indicators in Third-grade Children

2004 2006-2007 2011-2012

Dental Caries Experience Sealants

Sources: Prevention Services Division. Chew on This: 2011 Report on Oral Health in Colorado, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 2011. The Impact of Oral Disease on the Health of Coloradans 2004. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 2005. Data cited from 2004, 2006-2007, and 2011-2012 Basic Screening Survey.

40

14 9

55

14 1423

7 5

41

9 6

43

168

58

1912

43

15 13

58

15 17

53

1910

73

1825

0102030405060708090

100

Cariesexperience

Untreated decay Obesity Cariesexperience

Untreated decay Obesity

Kindergarten Third grade

Perc

ent

Total <25% FRL 25-49.9% FRL 50-74.9% FRL 75%+ FRL

Key Findings for 2011-2012

Children in schools with >75% of students eligible for free or reduced price meal program

Compared with <25% of students eligible for free or reduced price meal program

Significantly higher prevalence of untreated cavities Kindergarten 19% vs. 7% Third grade 18% vs. 18%

Higher prevalence of cavities experience Kindergarten 53% vs .23% Third grade 73% vs. 41%

Higher prevalence of prevalence of obesityKindergarten 10% vs. 5%Third grade 25% vs. 6%

Hispanic PopulationObesity – significantly higher prevalence

compared with white, non-HispanicsKindergarten 12% vs 7%Third grade 24% vs 9%

Significantly higher prevalence of cavity experience compared with White non-Hispanic populationKindergarten 55% vs 32%Third grade 70% vs 48%

SEALANTS – proven method for preventing decay

Third Graders: already beat WB target of 39% (45%)

ResourcesOral Health Colorado

Mobile and Portable Dental Services in Preschool and School Settings: Complex Issues

School-Based or School-Linked Mobile or Portable Dental Services Policy Statement

Memorandum of Understanding

Colorado and Fluoride

Unfounded fear about Fluorosis:

Mass Medication?

The American Public Health Association notes:“It has been the position of the American courts that a significant government interest in the health and welfare of the public generally overrides individual objections to public health regulation.”

U.S. Courts have consistently ruled that water fluoridation is not a form of compulsory mass medication or socialized medicine

The courts have ruled that: Fluoride is a nutrient, not a medicationNo one is forced to drink fluoridated water

Resources State Oral Health UnitHealth DepartmentCDC’s My Water’s FluoridePew’s ILikeMyTeeth.org

One of the “great public health achievements of the 20th century.”