Children's Dental Health

The Pew Children’s Dental Campaign works to ensure that more children receive dental care and benefit from policies proven to prevent tooth decay.

We are spearheading a national campaign to raise awareness of the problem, recruit influential leaders to call for change, and showcase states that have made progress and can serve as models for pragmatic, cost-effective reform. Our advocacy efforts are targeted at states where policy changes can dramatically improve children’s lives. For example, Pew is working with policymakers and advocates in several states to explore the creation of new types of dental providers—similar to nurse practitioners for dental care—to provide care to underserved kids. Minnesota authorized new providers, called dental therapists, in 2009. A 2010 article by the New York Times highlights the positive effects that dental therapists are having in Alaska.

Alaska is not alone. The problems affecting children’s dental health are severe all across the country.  Dental care is the single greatest unmet need for health services among children. More than 16 million disadvantaged children do not receive the care they need every year. Tooth decay is the most common childhood disease, affecting nearly 60 percent of children. Eighty percent of dental disease in children is concentrated in 25 percent of kids and children from poor families face disproportionately high barriers to getting care. The consequences can be devastating to those from low-income and minority households.

Some problems may be intractable. This one is not. Working in concert with lawmakers and other government officials, dental providers, national, state and local organizations, researchers, advocates and the private sector, the Pew Center on the States can help millions of kids maintain healthy teeth—making it possible for young children to thrive in school and become healthy, productive adults.

What We Do

The Pew Children’s Dental Campaign works on four efficient, cost-effective solutions:

• ensure that Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program – the programs that serve  low-income children – work better for kids and for providers so that insurance coverage translates into real access to needed care
• expand sealant programs for kids who need them most
• help expand access to optimally fluoridated water
• expand the number of professionals who can provide dental care to low-income children

 

Want to inform others in your state or community about the dental health provisions in the new health care reform law?  This four-page handout (PDF) provides an overview of the key provisions related to dental health, the funding levels and other key info.

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