States and Children’s Dental Care

Posted on February 23, 2010 by townsend

• Study: 1 in 5 kids don’t see dentist each year, By Alison Young, February 23, 2010,USA Today: “At least one in five U.S. children go without annual dental care and most states lack key policies to ensure access to cost-saving preventive treatments, according to a study released Tuesday by the Pew Center on the States. Six states received an “A” grade from the non-profit policy analysis group for their dental health policies. But even children in those states have problems accessing care, the report said…”
• Group gives Ohio a B in child dental care, By Misti Crane, February 23, 2010, Columbus Dispatch: “It might not be gold-star-worthy, but Ohio’s grade on a national review of state dental policies isn’t bad. With its B, Ohio outscored 35 other states in the Pew Center on the States’ review of policies that improve children’s access to dentists. The state won special attention for its efforts to provide dental sealants, which prevent cavities. All states have room for improvement, according to the report, which highlights the importance of preventive care to drive down the incidence and cost of more expensive treatments later. The report estimates that 17 million children, or one in five, go without the dental care they need every year…”
• Study: Minnesota lags in providing dental care to disadvantaged kids, By Lorna Benson, February 23, 2010, Minnesota Public Radio: “A national study says Minnesota needs to do more to help disadvantaged kids access dental care. The state received a ‘C’ grade on its dental policies from the Pew Center on the States. Pew measured the performance of all 50 states and the District of Columbia on whether they are abiding by eight well-established policy solutions that enhance children’s access to dental care. The policies include preventative dental care services covered by the Medicaid program, fluoridated public water supplies and establishing a new category of dental provider to compensate for dentist shortages. Shelly Gehshan, director of the Pew Children’s Dental Campaign, said Minnesota only met four of the eight policy measurements…”