Published: October 16, 2009 10:43 am      

It's no joke — 10/17/09

Program targets poor dental health of young Kentuckians

While we are not certain just how far $2 million will go toward improving dental care in Kentucky, but as former newspaper publisher Al Smith, retired host of “Comment on Kentucky” and former chairman of the Appalachian Regional Commission, said: At least “it’s a start” and “a promise kept.”

The ARC and the Health Resources and Services Administration are funding the initiative aimed at improving the dental health of Kentucky’s children, especially those in distressed counties of Appalachia. Its goals are specific: To increase the number of dental visits for children up to 6 years old by 16 percent and to reduce the decay rate in children in the 40 distressed counties of Kentucky’s Appalachian region by 15 percent.

Toothless hillbillies have been the butt of jokes for generations, but our poor dental health is no laughing matter.

A 2001 University of Kentucky study found that 46 percent of Kentucky’s children between the ages of 2 and 4 already suffered some dental decay. In 2004, Kentucky led the nation in those 65-and-older who were missing teeth, and 27 percent of Kentucky residents of all ages had lost six or more teeth to decay or gum disease, compared to 18 percent nationally.

In once sense, our poor dental health is understandable. When money is scarce, dental care tends to take a back seat to other needs. After all, a toothache may be painful, but it is not life-threatening. Thus, more serious health problems get more attention.

While toothpaste, good tooth brushes and regular visits with the dentist are not particularly expensive, they are things that can can be skipped when on a tight budget.

There are about 2,300 dentists in Kentucky but, according to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, only about 450 of them are Medicaid providers who treat children. Of those, only about 50 are pediatric dentists. Only 28 of Kentucky’s 120 counties have practicing pediatric dentists.

Poor dental health also is a concern because it is so preventable. Regular brushing and visits to the dentist can dramatically reduce the number of cavities children get. In fact, one of the best things Kentucky can do to improve dental health of children from poor families is to assure that they can get a regular supply of good toothpaste. After all, because toothpaste cannot be purchased with food debit cards, it sometimes is left out of the shopping cart when buying groceries.

Just making sure poor kids can get toothpaste and toothbrushes and teaching them how to properly use them is a good first step to improving the dental health of our youngest residents. Another step is teaching adults that tooth decay can lead to other, more serious health problems and that poor teeth can negatively effect the earning potential of young Kentuckians.

Such things can be effective without being unduly costly.