Early childhood and school age outreach

Abstract

Children with early childhood decay are at risk of getting more decay. It goes beyond pain and infection. It can affect speech, capacity to eat certain foods, ability to learn and self-esteem. Tooth decay is the number one childhood disease. It is five times more common than asthma seven times more common than hay fever. Recent oral health needs assessment results showed that 46.9% of children between K-5 and 3rd grade had experienced tooth decay. Nutrition plays a big role in early childhood decay. What a child eats and how often they eat contributes to the tooth decay process.