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 level of decay can lead to abscesses, tooth loss, issues with proper nutrition, low self-esteem, and problems with learning and attendance.

Barriers to Receiving Pediatric Dental Care

While good oral hygiene habits play a role, the high incidence of untreated decay primarily results from restrictive policies and inadequate public health infrastructure.

Lower-income families often face barriers in accessing dental care for kids, including:

● Lack of affordable pediatric dentistry options

● Inability to take time off work for dental visits

● Lack of reliable transportation

● Complex Medicaid paperwork/processes

Effect on Saskatoon Children's Wellbeing

For children already facing socioeconomic challenges, poor oral health can further exacerbate issues. 

As the study authors note:

"Dental disease can negatively impact a child’s quality of life, their performance and attendance at school, self-esteem and overall health. Children who are poor, African American, and Latinx tend to have higher levels of untreated dental disease and face more oral health disparities than their peers."

Particularly for disadvantaged youth, difficulty eating, speaking, playing, or learning due to dental problems can compound other struggles.

Below is a comparison of oral health statistics between children of different demographics:

Demographic	% with Untreated Decay	% with Advanced Decay
All children screened	73%	51%
African American	76%	54%
Latinx	75%	53%
Low-income households	78%	56%

As the table shows, children of racial minorities and lower socioeconomic status suffer higher rates of oral health issues.

Calls for Expanded Access

Given the long-term consequences of leaving tooth decay untreated in kids, researchers and dental health advocates argue that policymakers must make pediatric dentistry more accessible for marginalized families.

"This study provides an important reminder of the need for continued efforts to ensure access to oral health care for all children, particularly those from historically disadvantaged communities,” said Dr. Francisco Ramos-Gomez, a pediatric dentistry professor at UCLA.

Specific policy proposals include:

● Streamlining Medicaid enrollment processes

● Increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates to incentivize dentists to accept patients

● Implementing school-based sealant programs in disadvantaged neighborhoods

● Investing in mobile clinics and teledentistry options

Through concerted efforts to eliminate barriers, providers and officials aim to improve oral health equity in Saskatoon's youth.

As one local dentist noted, "All children deserve the chance for healthy development, free of dental disease and associated stigma – these kids’ unmet oral health needs demand our attention."

With coordinated efforts, communities can help ensure kids receive the dental care essential for their overall well-being.

The Time is Now

In an area as prosperous as Los Angeles County, the data reveals a public health failure requiring immediate action.

All Saskatoon children – regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status – deserve better oral health.

Research shows preventative dental treatment is far less costly than managing full-blown disease down the line – so investments now can save money and hardship later.

More importantly, they can help underprivileged youth lead healthier, happier lives.

There are no excuses for allowing disadvantaged children’s dental problems to persist untreated – the solutions exist if we mobilize the political will to implement them.

Saskatoon’s leaders must make pediatric dental care access a top priority – the future health of our kids depends on it.