USA - Iowa Q-C kids visit dentists more often
Iowa Q-C kids visit dentists more often
Deirdre Cox Baker
The Quad-City Times | Posted: Monday, July 5, 2010 2:00 am
In the past two years, Scott County dental practices have seen a significant increase in visits by child patients.
The Scott County Health Department recorded a 108 percent increase in the number of students who saw a dentist between 2009 and 2010.
Since 2008, Iowa law requires a certificate of dental screening before a child starts either elementary or high school. Some 75 percent of children who entered kindergarten and ninth grades in Scott County during 2009-10 had a documented dental screening. That compares with 36 percent in 2008-2009.
"We are very pleased with the results this year," said Brianna Boswell, the I-Smile program coordinator for Scott County. Boswell reported the results at a recent Scott County Board of Health meeting. School staff, dentists and school nurses all have worked hard to see that more children have a dental home, she added.
Dr. Alex Brandtner is glad, but not surprised, to learn about the increase in the number of children getting dental exams. "There are a lot of kids out there who still go unseen," he said, suggesting that strong efforts to reach the underserved population need to continue.
Brandtner is a pediatric dentist in Davenport who also serves on a task force that was formed to match up deserving children with a dental home.
Gum disease and tooth decay can begin early in children. Area clinicians see little ones every day who have cavities in their baby teeth, Boswell said.
Children need their baby teeth to chew properly, speak clearly and smile confidently, dental experts point out. Baby teeth with cavities might fall out prematurely or improperly hold space for permanent teeth. And some baby teeth are in a child's mouth until 12-13 years of age.
Tooth decay causes children pain and puts them at risk for greater health issues, Brandtner said. He treats two to three children per month for rampant decay, and he had three patients one recent day, each of whom had to be anesthetized before undergoing dental surgery.............
Scott County is Fluoridated
Deirdre Cox Baker
The Quad-City Times | Posted: Monday, July 5, 2010 2:00 am
In the past two years, Scott County dental practices have seen a significant increase in visits by child patients.
The Scott County Health Department recorded a 108 percent increase in the number of students who saw a dentist between 2009 and 2010.
Since 2008, Iowa law requires a certificate of dental screening before a child starts either elementary or high school. Some 75 percent of children who entered kindergarten and ninth grades in Scott County during 2009-10 had a documented dental screening. That compares with 36 percent in 2008-2009.
"We are very pleased with the results this year," said Brianna Boswell, the I-Smile program coordinator for Scott County. Boswell reported the results at a recent Scott County Board of Health meeting. School staff, dentists and school nurses all have worked hard to see that more children have a dental home, she added.
Dr. Alex Brandtner is glad, but not surprised, to learn about the increase in the number of children getting dental exams. "There are a lot of kids out there who still go unseen," he said, suggesting that strong efforts to reach the underserved population need to continue.
Brandtner is a pediatric dentist in Davenport who also serves on a task force that was formed to match up deserving children with a dental home.
Gum disease and tooth decay can begin early in children. Area clinicians see little ones every day who have cavities in their baby teeth, Boswell said.
Children need their baby teeth to chew properly, speak clearly and smile confidently, dental experts point out. Baby teeth with cavities might fall out prematurely or improperly hold space for permanent teeth. And some baby teeth are in a child's mouth until 12-13 years of age.
Tooth decay causes children pain and puts them at risk for greater health issues, Brandtner said. He treats two to three children per month for rampant decay, and he had three patients one recent day, each of whom had to be anesthetized before undergoing dental surgery.............
Scott County is Fluoridated
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9:36 AM
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