They Deserve Better Oral Health: Addressing Untreated Tooth Decay in Disadvantaged Kids

Los Angeles, California - A sobering new study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that nearly three-quarters of disadvantaged elementary schoolchildren screened in Los Angeles County had untreated tooth decay. Conducted by researchers at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry at USC, the results highlight the urgent need to expand access to Saskatoon pediatric dentistry programs and services for underprivileged children in the county and beyond. Key Findings on Kids' Oral Health The cross-sectional study examined the oral health of over 2,500 elementary school students enrolled in California's Medicaid program in Los Angeles County. A staggering 73% of the screened children had untreated tooth decay, defined as visible cavities or fillings placed due to cavities. Equally concerning, over half of the affected kids had advanced tooth decay , meaning more severe decay into inner tooth structures. Left untreated, this ...