Colorado Children’s Oral Health

Katya Mauritson, DMDOral Health Unit DirectorColorado Department of Public Health and Environment

2006 2007 2008 2009 20100

1

2

3

4

5

2.1

2.9

1.6

2.8

3.4

Percent of Colorado parents reporting that their child (age 1 through 5) first went to the dentist by 12 months of age,2006-2010

Source: Colorado Child Health Survey, Health Statistics Section, CDPHE

Per

cent

Goal: 4.6% by 2016

2001-2002 2003-2004 2006-20070

10

20

30

40

50

29

35.2 37.1

Percent of 3rd grade children in Colorado with sealants, Oral Health Basic Screening Survey

Per

cent

Source: Oral Health Program, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Sealants = Percentage of 3rd Grade Students with dental sealants on at least one permanent molar tooth

Goal: 39% by 2016

Toolkit for Promoting Maternal and Child Oral Health in Colorado Communities

http://www.oralhealthcolorado.org/new-toolkit-for-promoting-oral-health-in-colorado

-communities

School Basic Screening Survey

Measures the oral health status:Current, untreated decayHistory of decayECC for kindergartnersSealants on permanent molars on 3rd graders

Urgency of dental needs

Referral links

High Five Break!!!

2

46

27

6

45

23

5

40

14

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Caries experience Untreated decay Urgent need for care

Percen

t

2003-2004 2006-2007 2011-2012

Results of dental screening among children in kindergarten.Colorado Children’s Oral Health Screening, 2003–2004, 2006–2007, and 2011–2012Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Results of dental screening among children in 3rd grade.Colorado Children’s Oral Health Screening, 2003–2004, 2006–2007, and 2011–2012 Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

25

2

57

26

6

35 37

57

6

55

14

45

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Caries experience Untreated decay Urgent need forcare

Sealants

Percen

t

2003-2004 2006-2007 2011-2012

48

2835

43

51

73

20

24 32

24

34

42

50

64

1723

1915

23

43 43

53

7

16

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

<25% FRL 25-49.9%FRL

50-74.9%+FRL

75%+ FRL <25% FRL 25-49.9%FRL

50-74.9%+FRL

75%+ FRL

Caries experience Untreated decay

Per

cen

t

2003-2004 2006-2007 2011-2012

Results of dental screening among children in kindergarten by percent of students in the school who are eligible for free or reduced price meal program (FRL).Colorado Children’s Oral Health Screening, 2003–2004, 2006–2007, and 2011–2012 Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

2226

4141

31

28

18

73

6056

52

37

28

36

47

3734

21

17

72

5247

73

30

44

37

47

1815

19

9

73

58

41

5849

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

<25% FRL 25-49.9%FRL

50-74.9%+FRL

75%+ FRL <25% FRL 25-49.9%FRL

50-74.9%+FRL

75%+ FRL <25% FRL 25-49.9%FRL

50-74.9%+FRL

75%+ FRL

Caries experience Untreated decay Dental sealants

Per

cen

t

2003-2004 2006-2007 2011-2012

Results of dental screening among children in third grade by percent of students in the school who are eligible for free or reduced price meal program (FRL).Colorado Children’s Oral Health Screening, 2003–2004, 2006–2007, and 2011–2012 Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

SEALANTS – proven method for preventing decay

Third Graders: already beat WB target of 39% (45%)

ResourcesOral Health Colorado

Mobile and Portable Dental Services in Preschool and School Settings: Complex Issues

School-Based or School-Linked Mobile or Portable Dental Services Policy Statement

Memorandum of Understanding

Colorado and Fluoride

Unfounded fear about Fluorosis:

Mass Medication?

The American Public Health Association notes:“It has been the position of the American courts that a significant government interest in the health and welfare of the public generally overrides individual objections to public health regulation.”

U.S. Courts have consistently ruled that water fluoridation is not a form of compulsory mass medication or socialized medicine

The courts have ruled that: Fluoride is a nutrient, not a medicationNo one is forced to drink fluoridated water

Resources State Oral Health UnitHealth DepartmentCDC’s My Water’s FluoridePew’s ILikeMyTeeth.org

One of the “great public health achievements of the 20th century.”