CHARLOTTE, N.C. — During National Children’s Dental Health Month, clinics across the state are offering expanded services to reach kids disproportionately impacted by higher numbers of tooth decay.
According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, one in five kindergarteners have untreated tooth decay. That’s the highest the number has been in five years.
Medical professionals, like the health program manager at Mecklenburg County’s Pediatric Dental Services, say uninsured and low income children are disproportionately impacted.
“It’s really important for children to be able to receive dental care, but make sure it’s affordable to them, and usually the underserved community, that’s the one that’s really impacted,” Health Program Manager Raydiance Swanston said. “We want to make sure that a lot of families know that preventative care is the best care for their children.”
Swanston has been at Pediatric Dental Services for two years, and has emphasized a more value based approach to care. Each child’s weight, height and blood pressure is taken before their dental appointment.
“A lot of these families come all the way here for services and we want to make sure we’re able to address additional things outside of their oral health,” Swanston said.
NCDHHS says untreated tooth decay can lead to more serious, chronic diseases.
Mecklenburg County’s Pediatric Dental Services is just one of the clinics in the 100 counties across the state considered a safety net dental clinic. The nonprofit dental facilities accept N.C. Medicaid, N.C. Health Choice for Children and provide services on a sliding fee scale based on salary for low-income patients with no dental insurance.
Swanston said aside from offering services at the clinic, the dental services offer oral health education in schools. This summer, the clinic is launching a 40-foot mobile unit that will go to schools in Mecklenburg County.
“Many of those families, they work. They cannot take off time to go to the dentist, so we go to them,” Swanston said. “Access to care ensures that no matter what, the child is able to receive services. So, the bus going on site, the parents don’t have to miss out on work and the child does not have to miss out on several hours of school and learning.”
Swanston says preventive care, like free cleanings for children while at school, will make a difference in their oral health.
NCDHHS says preventative care like ensuring a child brushes their teeth twice a day, flossing and leading by example are ways to improve oral health at home.