It may surprise you to learn that dental cavities are the most common chronic disease in children, and that one in five children in elementary school have at least one untreated cavity. In children, chronic oral health disease has been linked to other health challenges, such as inability to concentrate, impaired speech, difficulty sleeping, and poor diet.1 And although cavities can be prevented with good oral hygiene and dental visits, some families face challenges to providing dental visits for their children, such as cost and conflicts with work schedules.
Researchers at the New York University (NYU) College of Dentistry recently ran a school-based cavity prevention program involving nearly 7,000 elementary school students, and saw a reduction in cavities of over 50%. The study was conducted in 33 public, high-need elementary schools in Massachusetts, where dental hygienists provided care to 6,927 children at no cost to families. Twice-yearly visits involved dental exams followed by cavity prevention and treatment, including fluoride varnish, sealants, and minimally invasive fillings to stabilize cavities without drilling. Students also received oral hygiene instructions, toothbrushes, and fluoride toothpaste to take home. If more complex care was required, students were referred to local dentists. 2
“The widespread implementation of oral health programs in schools could increase the reach of traditional dental practices and improve children’s oral health, all while reducing health disparities and the cost of care,” said senior author Richard Niederman, DMD, professor and chair of the Department of Epidemiology & Health Promotion.
The study showed that after six visits, untreated cavities decreased by more than 50%, and reduced cavities in both baby teeth and permanent teeth.
Researchers at NYU Dentistry recently analyzed the economic impact of school-based prevention programs, including one focusing on a Massachusetts program, and found that these programs are cost-effective and could save federal funds. The researchers concluded that national implementation of this school-based program could reduce Medicaid spending on children’s oral health by as much as one half.
Click here to read more about the study, “Longitudinal Caries Prevalence in a Comprehensive, Multicomponent, School-Based Prevention Program,” published by JADA.
1 https://www.dentistrytoday.com/spread-awareness-during-national-children-s-dental-health-month-and-beyond/
2 https://www.dentistrytoday.com/school-based-prevention-program-reduces-cavities-by-more-than-50/
