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Dental Care

One in Four Children in California Have Never Visited the Dentist

I was shocked to learn that 25% of the children in California have never seen a dentist -- or should I say I was a little confused...
The study titled "Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Dental Care for Publicly Insured Children," published in the July issue of the journal Health Affairs, notes that African American and Latino children with various types of insurance, were less likely than Asian American and white children to have visited the dentist in the previous six months -- or even in their entire lifetime. The study examined data from the 2005 California Health Interview Survey. The study contains data on nearly 11,000 children under the age on eleven. Nadereh Pourat, Ph.D., director of research planning at the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, stresses that, "The findings suggest that having insurance isn't always enough," adding, "We need to address the other barriers that keep children from getting the help they need."

Alright, you are probably wondering why I am so confused; right? Well, you see, California is one of the few States where new kindergarten students were required by law to have an oral examination prior to attending school. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed AB 1433 in 2006. I am curious to know how the study would differ if UCLA looked at data after 2006? Granted, kindergarten students account for only part of the 11,000 children in the 2005 data, but you would think the number of children that have seen a dentist would be higher in California because of their kindergarten oral health requirement law.

The numbers will undoubtedly change, now that the kindergarten oral health requirement (AB 1433) in California has been designated a Tier 3 program. Funding for Tier 3 programs was reduced, and districts are no longer obligated to participate in Tier 3 programs. Schools are still encouraged to educate students and parents about the importance of regular dental examinations, and collect and submit AB 1433 data but, as far as I understand, it is no longer required by law to have the dental examination. Could this mean that the percentage of children that have never visited the dentist will rise?

One in Four Children in California Have Never Visited the Dentist originally appeared on About.com Dental Care on Sunday, July 18th, 2010 at 23:46:54.

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Should we also be comparing her dental growth to a child 18 months younger? She lost a front tooth in an accident at 18 months old (huh, now that's a coincidence, that's when her growth slowed) and we're wondering when we can anticipate needing to start visiting the dentist to ensure the replacement has room to grow in?"

Visit the Dentistry Forum if you have experienced something similar with your child, or have professional advice to offer this forum member.

Forum Question of the Week originally appeared on About.com Dental Care on Thursday, July 8th, 2010 at 11:59:28.

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According to our Guide to HIV / AIDS, Mark Cichocki, R.N., there are approximately 1.1 million people living with HIV in the United States. Of those 1.1 million people, 20% have no idea they are infected. Why is HIV testing so important? Cichociki notes in a recent blog post that 70% of the estimated 56,000 new infections that are reported every year are caused by the 20% of infected persons that are unaware of their HIV status.

In order to stop the spread of HIV, we all need to be aware of our HIV status. Understandably, there is a lot of emotion and concern that one feels when making the decision to be tested. Many people would rather go on living their lives oblivious to the fact that they are HIV positive.

There are several ways you can be tested for HIV, but did you know that you can be tested at your dental office? Last year, I interviewed Dr. Catrise Austin, a dentist in New York City that offers HIV testing to her patients. If you are at all nervous about being tested for HIV, I suggest that you read my interview with Dr. Austin on how she incorporated the OraQuick ADVANCE Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test into her dental office.

HIV / AIDS is responsible for a number of dental problems, that only add to the list of physical and emotional concerns persons infected with HIV/AIDS experience. When you are aware of your HIV status, you can begin treatment for HIV that may help to improve your day-to-day quality of life.

National HIV Testing Day is June 27, 2010 originally appeared on About.com Dental Care on Sunday, June 27th, 2010 at 13:12:58.

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Our Guide to Health Insurance, Michael Bihari, MD, is scheduled to interview Secretary Sebelius at The White House tomorrow. Questions in regards to the Health Care Affordability Act will stream live at http://www.whitehouse.gov/live or http://apps.facebook.com/whitehouselive/.

Save the date, and take a few minutes to see if my questions about dental insurance and patients' rights made the cut. It would be nice to finally have the issue of dental insurance (or lack there of) addressed specifically. Good luck tomorrow, Michael!

Kathleen Sebelius, HHS Secretary, Takes Questions From the About.com Community on the Health Care Affordability Act originally appeared on About.com Dental Care on Monday, June 21st, 2010 at 22:30:04.

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About.com has a unique opportunity to interview Secretary Sebelius on the topic of health insurance premiums and patients' rights. This will live-stream on whitehouse.gov and have a later presence on About.com.

Do you have questions for Secretary Sebelius about dental insurance? Do you think dental insurance deserves a stronger backing by the government? Should the United States Government force dentists to treat patients on Medicaid? What about your rights as a dental patient?

If you have any questions specifically on the issue of health insurance and patients' rights for people affected by dental insurance and your rights as a dental patient, please submit them directly to my email: dentistry.guide@about.com before Monday June 21, 2010.

Do You Have a Question for Secretary Sebelius About Dental Insurance and Patients' Rights? Submit Them to Me By Monday! originally appeared on About.com Dental Care on Friday, June 18th, 2010 at 20:27:09.

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Forum member marnitasteeth is very concerned about her granddaughters teeth, specifically the upper four front teeth which, according to marnitasteeth, have dissolved away leaving only the roots. marnitasteeth asks: "What prognosis would be appropriate in terms of these teeth falling out; will they fall out naturally or should they be removed?"

Forum Question of the Week: Will These Baby Teeth Fall Out? originally appeared on About.com Dental Care on Wednesday, June 16th, 2010 at 15:20:06.

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The risk of developing thyroid cancer may be associated with exposure to multiple dental x-ray, says researchers from Brighton and Sussex Medical School, the University of Cambridge, and Kuwait University. The study, a population-based case-control interview, involved 313 Kuwaitis with thyroid cancer.

Dr Anjum Memon, a senior lecturer and consultant in public health medicine at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, stressed that continued research is critical in understanding the connection between this rare form of cancer and dental x-rays. Says Dr. Memon, "It is important that our study is repeated with information from dental records including frequency of x-rays, age and dose at exposure. If the results are confirmed then the use of x-rays as a necessary part of evaluation for new patients, and routine periodic dental radiography (at 6-12 months interval), particularly for children and adolescents, will need to be reconsidered, as will a greater use of lead collar protection.

Our study highlights the concern that like chest (or other upper-body) x-rays, dental x-rays should be prescribed when the patient has a specific clinical need, and not as part of routine check-up or when registering with a dentist."

How can you decrease the potential for an increased risk of thyroid cancer? Before you have x-rays taken at your dental office, make sure the protective lead vest, that is placed over your body prior to taking an x-ray, has a thyroid collar. No, not every dentist uses a lead vest with a thyroid collar, in fact many dental offices where I was employed did not use a lead vest with this protective collar. Don't get me wrong, your dentist is very concerned about limiting your exposure to excess radiation, and I can't honestly tell you why your dentist may choose to use a lead vest that only covers from the chest down. Perhaps this study will ignite the need for x-ray safety to be reevaluated by dental professionals.

Thyroid Cancer Risk May Increase Due to Multiple Dental X-Rays originally appeared on About.com Dental Care on Monday, June 7th, 2010 at 20:40:10.

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redbul writes: "If my college calls my dentist asking if I had an appointment, is that information protected by privacy laws?"

Are you aware of how your dentist shares your information? Do you think the college has a right to know about redbul's dental appointment history?

Learn more about "Protecting Your Privacy In the Dental Office" and share your comments in my forum.

Forum Question Of the Week originally appeared on About.com Dental Care on Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010 at 00:41:24.

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People with type 2 diabetes often have a difficult time controlling their blood glucose levels. I have first-hand knowledge of this fact, because my husband was recently hospitalized for this very reason. Aside from the obvious reasons for an influx in blood glucose, there are often hidden factors that may be contributing to a diabetics glucose level. Now, thanks to a recent study published in The Cochrane Library, type 2 diabetics may be consulting their dentist for assistance with controlling their blood glucose levels.

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh, the Peninsula Dental School, the University of Ottawa and UCL Eastman Dental Institute, suggest type 2 diabetics that have their gum disease treated, may see a decrease in their blood glucose levels. Their findings precede the analysis of seven studies, that involved persons aged 16 and older with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. After combing through the data, the researchers noted a small but beneficial impact for people with type 2 diabetes. While these findings are exciting, the researchers do stress that larger, randomized trials are undoubtedly necessary to further study the relationship between periodontal treatment and blood glucose levels. It should also be noted that there was not enough available evidence to support similar benefits for people with type 1 diabetes.

Learn more about diabetes and your mouth: "What You Should Know About Diabetes and Gum Disease"

Treating Gum Disease May Lower Blood Glucose In Type 2 Diabetics originally appeared on About.com Dental Care on Sunday, May 23rd, 2010 at 15:25:51.

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Pediatric dental disease, also known as early childhood tooth decay, is considered to be the number one illness affecting millions of children across North America, but in the same sentence, pediatric dental disease is also an easily preventable illness. Despite the fact that tooth decay and gum disease can often be prevented by simply ensuring your child is brushing and flossing daily, receiving regular dental examinations, and eating a well balanced diet, pediatric dental disease will likely remain a silent epidemic impacting children from all walks of life. Now enter America's Toothfairy, the National Children's Oral Health Foundation's (NCOHF) nonprofit organization, who's sole purpose is evident in the first sentence of their mission statement: "To eliminate pediatric oral disease and promote overall health and well being for millions of children from vulnerable populations. We do this by being a comprehensive resource provider for non-profit community programs delivering critical preventive, educational and treatment services." According to their website, the NCOHF has distributed over $6.5 million in direct funding, donated dental products and technical resources to the Affiliate network to expand and enhance critical oral health services for their local communities. The NCOHF relies on the generous donations from the general public and from corporate sponsors.

These days, most of us are keeping our wallets tighter, and following a stricter budget that unfortunately leaves little room for making a charitable donation. Now enter Listerine. The makers of one of the most powerful oral antiseptic rinses recently created the documentary "This Is Your Mouth" narrated by Neil Patrick Harris. Every time the documentary is viewed online, Listerine will make a donation to the National Children's Oral Health Foundation: America's Toothfairy (NCOHF). Have a look at the documentary, and help America's Toothfairy.

Help Support America's Toothfairy originally appeared on About.com Dental Care on Friday, May 14th, 2010 at 22:47:30.

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