USA - Foundation Puts Money Where Kids' Mouths Are - Chicago Tribune,
Foundation Puts Money Where Kids' Mouths Are - Chicago Tribune,
Charles StorchJuly 05, 2007
Most weekday mornings, children and their harried parents join a long line at the pediatric dentistry clinic of the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry. Dr. Indru Punwani sees patients as young as 2 with acute pain and facial swelling. Many have never had regular oral care, or they need a follow-up after emergency treatment elsewhere.
Punwani, head of the college's pediatric dentistry department, sees daily evidence that the incidence of tooth decay in young children is growing, even as it tapers off in adults. He understands that episodic or poor oral care can stifle a child's smile, scar a self-image and stunt prospects in adulthood. He knows too well that tooth and gum disease can lead to other serious ailments, as it had with a 12-year-old Maryland boy who died in February after an untreated tooth infection spread to his brain.
"We are facing a severe crisis in access to children's health care," Punwani said.
Recognizing that, the Illinois Children's Healthcare Foundation plans to commit at least $20 million during the next five years to improve the oral health of children in the state.
Susan Kerr, president of the Hinsdale-based foundation, said requests for grants will be considered in three areas: building the capacity of places such as community clinics, public-health centers and school-based clinics to treat children's dental problems; working with dental schools such as UIC's to recruit dentists to work in rural and other areas in the state underserved by their profession; and educating families about the importance of regular dental care for their youngsters, including a first visit to the dentist by the time a child reaches age 1.
Kerr applauded the efforts of state and private agencies to inform the public that tooth decay is a chronic childhood infectious disease, one that is five times as common as asthma.
She cited Illinois data from the 2003-04 school year showing that 55 percent of 3rd graders have some tooth decay and 30 percent have significant decay. She said this tends to be more prevalent in children from low-income homes.
"Oral health is one of the top three reasons for children missing school," she said. "A lot of kids are sitting in classrooms and are trying to pay attention, but their mouths hurt, and they know they are hungry but they can't eat without pain."
Even for children covered through a private or governmental dental plan, access to good care can be difficult. Punwani noted that there is a shortage of pediatric dentists, and not all general dentists are trained to treat children.
Community health services are straining to meet demand. Cook County Bureau of Health Services officials said the county maintains five dental clinics in the suburbs and offers emergency treatment (usually tooth extractions) and oral surgery at Stroger Hospital. But the hospital's routine dental care for children and adults ended this year when three dentists were laid off, primarily because of budget considerations.
Punwani would like to see more emphasis on early-childhood oral care, given that many parents don't realize they can infect their infants' mouths with their own saliva or by giving them sugary liquids. He also advocates basic dental training for general health providers.
Kerr's foundation gives around $6 million a year in grants, of which some $4 million will go for children's oral care during the next five years.
She said it will continue to fund its two other statewide program areas for children, access to mental-health services, and early screening and treatment for developmental delays.
Fluoridated: NYSCOF
Charles StorchJuly 05, 2007
Most weekday mornings, children and their harried parents join a long line at the pediatric dentistry clinic of the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry. Dr. Indru Punwani sees patients as young as 2 with acute pain and facial swelling. Many have never had regular oral care, or they need a follow-up after emergency treatment elsewhere.
Punwani, head of the college's pediatric dentistry department, sees daily evidence that the incidence of tooth decay in young children is growing, even as it tapers off in adults. He understands that episodic or poor oral care can stifle a child's smile, scar a self-image and stunt prospects in adulthood. He knows too well that tooth and gum disease can lead to other serious ailments, as it had with a 12-year-old Maryland boy who died in February after an untreated tooth infection spread to his brain.
"We are facing a severe crisis in access to children's health care," Punwani said.
Recognizing that, the Illinois Children's Healthcare Foundation plans to commit at least $20 million during the next five years to improve the oral health of children in the state.
Susan Kerr, president of the Hinsdale-based foundation, said requests for grants will be considered in three areas: building the capacity of places such as community clinics, public-health centers and school-based clinics to treat children's dental problems; working with dental schools such as UIC's to recruit dentists to work in rural and other areas in the state underserved by their profession; and educating families about the importance of regular dental care for their youngsters, including a first visit to the dentist by the time a child reaches age 1.
Kerr applauded the efforts of state and private agencies to inform the public that tooth decay is a chronic childhood infectious disease, one that is five times as common as asthma.
She cited Illinois data from the 2003-04 school year showing that 55 percent of 3rd graders have some tooth decay and 30 percent have significant decay. She said this tends to be more prevalent in children from low-income homes.
"Oral health is one of the top three reasons for children missing school," she said. "A lot of kids are sitting in classrooms and are trying to pay attention, but their mouths hurt, and they know they are hungry but they can't eat without pain."
Even for children covered through a private or governmental dental plan, access to good care can be difficult. Punwani noted that there is a shortage of pediatric dentists, and not all general dentists are trained to treat children.
Community health services are straining to meet demand. Cook County Bureau of Health Services officials said the county maintains five dental clinics in the suburbs and offers emergency treatment (usually tooth extractions) and oral surgery at Stroger Hospital. But the hospital's routine dental care for children and adults ended this year when three dentists were laid off, primarily because of budget considerations.
Punwani would like to see more emphasis on early-childhood oral care, given that many parents don't realize they can infect their infants' mouths with their own saliva or by giving them sugary liquids. He also advocates basic dental training for general health providers.
Kerr's foundation gives around $6 million a year in grants, of which some $4 million will go for children's oral care during the next five years.
She said it will continue to fund its two other statewide program areas for children, access to mental-health services, and early screening and treatment for developmental delays.
Fluoridated: NYSCOF
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