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Children's Oral Health in Ohio
- Childhood tooth decay is a significant chronic disease and is on the rise among young children for the first time in 40 years.
- Tooth decay affects child health and development, self-esteem and learning.
- Low-income children are disproportionately affected by tooth decay. Three-quarters of untreated cavities is found in 25 per cent of children ages 5-17, mostly from low-income families.
- Untreated dental cavities are expensive to treat and become more serious oral health problems that are even more costly.
- Poor oral health is linked to various adult diseases like cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis.
- Dental costs for children enrolled in Medicaid for five continuous years who have their first preventive dental visit by age one are nearly 40 per cent less than for children who receive their first dental visit after age one.
Source: National Oral Health Center