The U.S. Surgeon General reports a neglected epidemic of dental disease in the United States.1 People tend to think that dental issues are not as significant as other health issues, but for those affected, oral conditions can interfere with eating, sleeping, speaking, learning, working and playing.2 Arizona residents suffer from higher rates of dental disease and benefit less from proven preventive methods than other states. A recent survey revealed that 21% of Arizona adults and 31% of Arizona children have never had a dental check-up. Arizona children on average have five cavities, which is three times higher than the national average.By age 45, more than 99 percent of Arizona adults have had tooth decay.2
Connection between dental disease and general health
According to the Surgeon General’s report on oral health, the mouth can function as an “early warning” system for some diseases, and can provide a useful means to understanding organs and systems in other parts of the body.8 New research shows that that periodontitis (or advanced gum disease), is associated with other health problems such as cardiovascular disease, stroke and bacterial pneumonia. In addition, pregnant women who have periodontitis may be at increased risk for delivering pre-term and/or low birth weight babies.7
Arizona children fare poorly compared to U.S. average
Tooth decay remains the most common chronic problem among children in the U.S. It is five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever.2 Only 57% of Arizona children visited the dentist in 2006. In Arizona, 5% of children aged 6 months through 2 years have had tooth decay, 2 by age 4, 49% of children get dental disease,5 and by the time children are 11 to 13 years, 65% have experienced tooth decay.2 Untreated dental decay can cause pain and tooth loss, which in turn is associated with poor nutrition, impaired speech development, absence from and inability to concentrate in school and reduced self-esteem. 5 Many infants and toddlers suffer from baby bottle tooth decay because sweetened liquids such as milk, fruit juice or formula are left clinging to a baby’s teeth for long periods. To reduce risk, parents can limit sweetened drinks and avoid putting a child down for a nap with a bottle.4 Parents should take their child to the dentist by their first birthday, and visit regularly. In addition, if the local water does not contain fluoride, ask your dentist how your child should get it. 4
Dental sealants, drinking fluoridated water and having easier access to dental care are some of the ways to prevent tooth decay
The high levels of dental disease in Arizona and the high treatment costs they generate can be managed given the use of proper preventive methods.2 Dental sealants, a plastic coating applied over the decay-prone pits and fissures of teeth, have proven through fifteen years of research to be a highly effective means of preventing tooth decay. 3 The Arizona Dental Sealant Program offers 2nd and 6th grade children without private dental insurance the opportunity to seal erupted, non-restored, non-decayed first and/or second permanent molars. Unfortunately only 47% of Arizona's public water supply is fluoridated. 2
Barriers to Receiving Dental Care
Access to convenient dental care is one of the barriers for rural Arizona residents. Fewer dentists and dental hygienists practice in lesser populated areas. Individuals residing in rural areas may lack adequate transportation or have long travel distances that make visiting a dental provider difficult. Arizona's ratio of dentist-to-population is lower than the US average. Arizona has one dentist for every 2,250 people whereas the national average is one dentist to every 1,740 people, a difference of 510 people per dentist. 2 While 24% of Arizonans lack medical insurance, over 44% of adults and 38% of children lack dental insurance.2 For every child without medical insurance, there are at least 2.6 children without dental insurance, and this seems to be a continuing trend. Arizona’s Medicaid program AHCCCS, and Arizona’s SCHIP Program KidsCare, provide dental coverage to young children, but less than 30% received care in 2002. Only 15% of Arizona dentists participate in AHCCCS and KidsCare, not nearly enough to provide care to all who need it. Dentists cite poor reimbursement rates, high appointment no-show rates among the AHCCCS population and excessive paperwork as disincentives to contracting with AHCCCS. 5
