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Dental disease is the most chronic childhood disease, four times more common than Asthma (Oral Health I the US, "H.J. Kaiser Foundation, 2012). Children living with untreated dental disease are suffering from chronic toothaches and painful abscesses. They cannot eat, drink or sleep normally, have trouble focusing in school and miss more days of school as a result of dental pain. Untreated dental disease can also lead to systemic problems when infections in the mouth spread to other parts of the body. Dental disease can be the culprit behind ear and throat infections, and is also documented risk for cardiovascular disease and other conditions.
According to the 2006 "Mommy it Hurts to Chew," California Smile Survey, 50% of kindergarteners already have dental decay by the time they are in third grade, and over 70% of children have a history of tooth decay. Minorities and children of lower socioeconomic strata are also shown to have a high prevalence of dental caries. In addition, studies continue to show that the incidence of dental disease in children is directly correlated with poverty, such as the most recent 2014 Children Now, California Report Card, where California ranks a "D+" in oral health.
There are a substantial number of underserved children in Whittier with extensive dental disease, cavities and infections that are rampant not in just one tooth, but several, or in the worst cases, more than half of all their baby teeth. For example, 10.2% of children have never been to the dentist and 15.7% of children did not visit a dentist in the past year due to the inability to afford it and/or had no insurance. Children living in poverty face obstacles in accessing dental care, especially pediatric and multi-specialty dental treatment.
This program will provide a total of four days of oral health and nutrition days during the month of October 2015 at elementary schools in the South Whittier City School District, providing free dental screenings, fluoride treatment, oral health and nutrition education, and referral to care to low-income elementary age children. Every participant will receive an oral health kit comprised of a toothbrush, tooth paste, floss, timer and educational material (in English or Spanish). Oral health screenings will also address the need to complete the AB1433, legislation requiring dental screenings for children their first year in public school.
As a result of the Oral Health & Nutrition Program in the South Whittier City School District, we will have the following impact:
1. Identified the oral health status for those children screened, including those with dental disease and those needing urgent care.
2. Improved dental health & nutrition literacy for children and families.
3. Helped children and families develop an understanding of how overall health and well-being is related to oral health and nutrition.
4. Provided referral to care to Dental Care at the Children's Dental Health Clinic and other resources for continuum of care.
Initially, Rotarians will coordinate and attend planning meetings with South Whittier School District to establish dates, locations and number of children to be served. On the days when oral health and nutrition program is implemented, Rotarians will assist with setting up classrooms, escorting children to and from classrooms, and distributing oral health kits to children.
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