USA - Fluoridated Kentucky

Grant to help child dental health
By Peggy Kreimer
Post staff reporter
Child Dental Care
When should a child first see a dentist?
Is it OK to put a child to bed with a bottle of fruit juice? Soda pop? Milk?
When is a child old enough to brush his own teeth?
The answers will surprise many parents, said Jack Lenihan, president of the Northern Kentucky Dental Society, which donated $10,000 to Covington-based Children Inc. to spread the word about good dental health for young children.
The child-care agency is distributing 10,000 brochures, 10,000 refrigerator magnets and 1,000 DVDs to child-care centers, early childhood classrooms, and health centers in hopes of educating parents about the importance of early dental care. The campaign is called "Baby Teeth Matter."
"Some parents say they're going to lose them (teeth) anyway, we don't have to worry," said Children Inc. Executive Director Rick Hulefeld. "But what happens early can affect their whole life."
Tooth decay in baby teeth can lead to infections that affect the gums, throat, ears and, in serious cases, permanent teeth. Baby teeth are place holders for permanent teeth. Losing them prematurely can mean permanent teeth will be crowded, said Lenihan.
Children Inc. is the education branch of a three-pronged oral-health campaign in Northern Kentucky. HealthPoint, a private, nonprofit primary-care provider, has developed a mobile dental office that started going to schools last month, and the Northern Kentucky Independent Health District is putting sealants on children's teeth to help prevent decay - now using the new mobile office.
"Kentucky is 49th in the nation in oral health," said Hulefeld. "Dental problems are the second leading reason children miss school and the leading reason kids go to the emergency room." Every parent needs to get this information, Hulefeld said. "Even well-educated parents don't know so many of the basic rules," he said.
Lenihan said many parents know it's not good to give children soft drinks, but fruit juice and milk can be a problem, too.
"We see parents' putting children to bed with a bottle or a sippy cup of apple juice or milk. That stays in the mouth. We're seeing a lot of baby bottle tooth decay," he said. "A child should never be put to bed or nap with anything but water.
"We're seeing decay in children earlier and earlier in the last 10 years," said Lenihan. "I don't think parents know the effect soft drinks have on children's teeth. It's the acidic content of the drink, even diet soft drinks."
The enamel of children's teeth is thin, and the acid in carbonated drinks can attack it, he said.
Lenihan said many children don't see a dentist until they have a toothache.
"The American Academy of Pediatrics says children should see the dentist by the time they're 1 year old. We'd like to see them at least by 3," said Lenihan. "You want the first visit to be a good experience, just cleaning."
Parents should be cleaning their children's teeth regularly long before the children go to the dentist.
"Brushing is so important, especially before they go to bed at night," Lenihan said. For very young children, parents can put a small amount of toothpaste on a wash cloth and rub the child's teeth, he said. As a child gets older, parents should brush the child's teeth and teach them the hand motions.
"The American Academy of Pediatrics says children don't have the hand skills to properly brush their teeth until they're 8 years old. Kids should be brushing with parents following up," he said.
The $10,000 grant is the Northern Kentucky Dental Society's first public information grant.Children Inc. received a $5,000 grant from United Way to develop the material last year. The Dental Society grant allowed Children Inc. to start getting the information to the community last month.
Agencies that want dental information can call Children Inc. at (859) 431-2075.

Over 96% of Kentucky water systems add fluoride since a 1977 Kentucky law compelled water suppliers serving over 1,500 individuals to fluoridate:NYSCOF