Ecological Model Of Oral Health

The prevention of caries is accomplished through the execution of a variety of measures, such as the fluoridation of the drinking water supply as well as the utilization of sealants and topical fluorides (Mouradian, Wehr, and Crall 2625). Despite the ease of preventability of tooth decay, it is one of the most common childhood chronic diseases, with more than half of the nation’s children having detectable caries (Mouradian, Wehr, and Crall 2625). Unfortunately, only 62% of water supplies are fluoridated, and underserved communities with low-income and minority families are usually the ones who are disproportionately affected (Mouradian, Wehr, and Crall 2626). Low-income individuals are generally less likely to seek preventative care, increasing their costs of neglected oral diseases and morbidity factors (Mouradian, Wehr, and Crall 2626). In addition, only one in five children who are covered by Medicaid are authorized for preventative oral healthcare, while restorative care is generally not even a consideration (Mouradian, Wehr, and Crall 2625).

Over 130 million Americans do not have dental insurance. On top of that, almost a million emergency room visits last year resulted from preventable oral conditions. Many Americans today are unaware of how the condition of their dentition affects their overall health. Socioeconomic limitations, the lack of dental education in parents, eating habits, and simply the availability of dentists plays a key role in the state of children’s oral health; implementing a universal dental care program will help lower the barriers that many people face when it comes to receiving the dental care they need. The program will target high-risk individuals who are prone to dental caries and provide them with standard

Over 130 million Americans do not have dental insurance. On top of that, almost a million emergency room visits last year resulted from preventable oral conditions. Many Americans today are unaware of how the condition of their dentition affects their overall health. Socioeconomic limitations, the lack of dental education in parents, eating habits, and simply the availability of dentists plays a key role in the state of children’s oral health; implementing a universal dental care program will help lower the barriers that many people face when it comes to receiving the dental care they need. The program will target high-risk individuals who are prone to dental caries and provide them with standard treatment.

The websites I used for my research were Center for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization. The World Health Organization defines Oral Health as “a state of being free from chronic mouth and facial pain, oral and throat cancer, oral sores, birth defects such as cleft lip and palate, periodontal (gum) disease, tooth decay and tooth loss, and other diseases and disorders that affect the oral cavity” (2015). It is necessary to brush our teeth twice a day for two minutes and floss daily. Since tooth decay has been one of the most common chronic disease among children in the United States, I found it very important to educate them that this is a preventable disease and what ways it can be

“The impact of unmet oral health care needs is magnified by the well-established connection between oral health and overall health” (Fineberg, H. 2011, p. ix). Oral health status is linked with general health, as evidenced by the association between poor oral health and chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory disease. Poor oral hygiene can also lead to other health issues such as, oral facial pain and digestive problems. “The silent epidemic of oral diseases disproportionately affects disadvantaged communities,

Often, parents who have poor oral health have a history of poor oral health that is accompanied by negative experiences in dentistry as a child, such as painful restoration and extractions. This history often creates an attitude of fear and negativity towards dental professionals that is passed to their children through learned behaviors. Parents who lack a history of oral health tradition are less likely to seek preventative services for their children (Buerlein, Horowitz, & Child, 2011 and Hallberg, et al, 2008).

Disparities in pediatric oral health care have been a growing issue world wide, but more importantly in the state of North Carolina. In order to improve oral health in children in lower income areas, there is a need to lower the cost of dental care, educate parents on preventative care, and build more clinics in local areas. There are many factors that contribute to the improvement of pediatric oral health, with a plethora of committed dentists and a local community determined to improve the overall health of the most vulnerable citizens in our society. As a community we have collectively designed effective solutions to address this established health disparity, which ultimately affects the oral health of every child in Orange County, NC.

Prevention of oral disease is critical in Early Head Start (EHS) programs. “Early childhood caries has emerged as a concern over the past few years because of its widespread and increasing prevalence, its inequitable distribution among preschool-aged children and its negative consequences for children, their families, and public health programs” (Mofidi, Zeldin, & Rozier, 2009, p. 245). Assessable to young children in most parts of the United Stated, dental care provides treatment, particularly to children in low-income families. Rates of failure to treat oral health has increase tremendously. Approaches explored by EHS programs to treat as well as prevent will decrease high-risk for early childhood caries.

Improvements in children’s oral health in Scotland, is evident. However, it is clear inequalities remain “It has become apparent that dental caries is essentially a disease associated with social deprivation” (Childsmile, 2013).

Eighty percent of untreated caries occur in twenty-five percent of children ages five to seventeen (Dye et al.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) suggests that a child should be given food that are low on sugar saving special treats such as cookies and candies for “special occasions” (“A Healthy Mouth” 2). The AAP also recommends that toddlers should be limited to two healthy snacks per day, stating that the “frequent exposure to sugar” increases the risk of an infant developing ECC due to the sugar left in the child’s mouth for a long period (“How to Prevent”). The ADA suggests that infant should follow a balanced and healthy diet, but to many low income parents healthy foods are not always an option due to the high cost of organic food (“Statement”). As many of the participants in the survey conducted by Collins et al. suggested that the “Healthy foods” are more expensive than the unhealthy snacks making it harder for low income parents to be able to afford them. Collins et al. also states how the Woman, Infants, and Children Food and Nutrition Service, also known as WIC provides parents with a limited amount of fruit, vegetables, and other healthy foods (“Framing Young Childrens” 13). Although WIC benefits are very limited this program still helps parents provide a healthy and a decent diet for their children. Fluoride can be found in many things such are the water at home, toothpaste, or can also be applied at the dentist. Fluoride is described by the NIH as “a mineral that can prevent

The ADA is a non-profit and nation’s largest dental association, which represents more than 150,000 dentists. The ADA has grown to become the leading source of oral health related information for dentists and their patients. (ADA, n.d.). The American Dental Association argues that food selection and eating habits have a significant role in maintaining good oral health. Furthermore, the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) states that there is consistent evidence that dental caries would be lower if added sugars consumption is less than 10 percent of energy intake which could occur if consumers attention is brought to added sugars (ADA, 2015). To support their claims the ADA used the DGAC assessment on dental caries, which is based on the review accredited by the World Health Organization (ADA, 2015). Therefore, it can be affirmed that the evidence is suffice and

The period of critically lowered pH needed for caries to develop depends on the type and frequency of carbohydrates consumed. Sucrose (table sugar) and monosaccharaides cause a rapid and large pH drop, increasing the risk of dental caries. In most developing low-income countries, the prevalence rate of dental caries is high and more than 90% of caries is untreated. The level of caries is higher for the primary dentition than the permanent dentition for children of several developing countries as shown recently for China, Thailand, Madagascar and Niger

Early Childhood Caries is a common dental decay disease that affects children under five years of age. It is characterized as being any missing, filling, or decay in primary dentition because of dental caries. This paper shows the high prevalence statistics of Early Childhood Caries taken around the world. This disease is completely preventable but because of the caregivers lack of knowledge, it remains more common than asthma. This paper talks about the causes of Early Childhood Caries including Streptococcus mutans, improper feeding methods and how caregivers can prevent the causes from ever happening. It touches on vertical and horizontal transmission of Streptococcus mutans and the controversy of breastfeeding over bottle feeding. This

Although considered preventable, 53.6% of Medicaid eligible kindergarteners studied in California had a history of dental caries and 27.8 % had decay present at the time of the screening (Dental Health Foundation, 2006). Teaching young children effective oral hygiene techniques is the most effective way to protect the child’s teeth and help them to develop a daily oral wellness routine ("Dental Health," 2015). By focusing on those most in need, Medicaid eligible preschool aged children, teaching and reinforcing effective oral hygiene strategies early in life will foster a lifelong habit of oral health wellness (Gardner, Lally, & Wardle, 2012).