Some of you may have heard of the tragic death of a 12 year old boy living in our nation's capital, who died when untreated dental issues caused a deadly infection. Deamonte Driver died when an infected tooth lead to a brain infection. His dental problems had not been addressed because his bother had so many rotted teeth that his mother was concentrating on getting those issues fixed.
The children had lost their Medicaid and his mother did not have the money to have his tooth removed, nor the dentists willing to treat him.
For more on the Deamonte Driver story, click here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/27/AR200702...
More than 6 million children who have Medicaid benefits have tooth decay that is left untreated. That figure is double that of children who have private insurance. Many dentists do not accept Medicaid insurance because it usually pays a lot less that private insurance and they don't want to deal with the extensive paperwork.
One surveys has shown that 66% of children with Medicaid have not received dental care the year before the survey was done and approximately 12% of kids with Medicaid have never seen a dentist at all.
People want change.
A community dental health coordinator (CDHC) is being recommended to schools to ensure all children get dental care when needed and more dental schools are forming (there are currently 57).
The American Dental Association has lots of information regarding dental care in general, detailed topics, surveys and research.
And let's not forget our own responsibility to clean our children's teeth at least twice a day. Healthy foods, less sugar, water and milk to drink and regular brushing and flossing are the first and most important steps to a healthy mouth.
Dental care is serious.
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Have you had good or bad experiences with Medicaid?
What are you doing to help with your own dental health and that of your children?
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I first became aware of the connection between dental care and overall physical conditions when I visited my dentist during my pregnancy.
I had no idea that lack of dental care could cause infections and other conditions throughout the ENTIRE body, not just your mouth! It was surprising to me.
I was told that the surge in hormones during pregnancy can lead to gingivitis or periodontal (gum) disease. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), "[gingivitis] is especially common during the second to eighth months of pregnancy, may cause red, puffy or tender gums that tend to bleed when you brush. This sensitivity is an exaggerated response to plaque and is caused by an increased level of progesterone in your system."
September 25, 2008 - 1:31pmThis Comment
My mother's generation wasn't well-educated in dental care. False teeth were an expected part of aging.
My generation was introduced to fluoridated water and better dental care education. "Floss the teeth you want to keep" was my Dentist's motto. But, our diets were still terrible. In college, there was a story about a girl who had lost several teeth because she practically lived on macaroni and cheese - cheap meal for college kids, bad for teeth that don't get anything to really bite into.
My kids grew up learning even more about dental hygiene, and with more gadgets to help. Powered toothbrushes, some with timers, pressure water picks and tasty dental floss (have you seen the new ones?) help keep the dentist bills under control.
Health care in this country is inadequate on so many levels and it's appalling that a child should have to suffer - or die - for lack of medical or dental care.
September 24, 2008 - 4:31pmThis Comment