Oral Health Problems
Take a Bite Out of Learning

One student has missed two weeks of school because of an abscess, her family has no transportation and her mother was giving her Tylenol to ease the pain, but she can’t afford to buy any more. Another student has a swollen jaw and cheek. His teacher states he is inattentive and not concentrating in class. He has endured so much pain that he’s numb to it, and his family has no medical or dental insurance. These are two examples of the calls I receive almost weekly from the Healthy Start Program of a local school district.

The daily reality for children with untreated oral disease is often persistent pain and swelling, the inability to eat comfortably or chew well, embarrassment at discolored, damaged, and missing teeth and distraction or absence from classroom instructional time. “More than 52 million school hours are lost each year because of dental related illness. The health and development of children’s mouths and teeth are as important as any other part of their body, affecting how children feel and behave, and how they will develop into youths and adults.” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, May 2000).

Dental decay is one of the most common diseases of childhood. Tooth decay is five times as common as asthma and seven times as common as hay fever in 5 to 17 year olds. By the age of 8, approximately 52 percent of children have experienced decay and by the age of 17, dental decay affects 78 percent of children. Poor oral health of children has been related to poor performance in school, poor social relationships and less success later in life.

Many California elementary students are, “walking dental disasters”, according to a 1997 study funded by the California Department of Health Services. “Among low-income children, almost 50 percent of tooth decay remains untreated.” California elementary school students have nearly three times the tooth decay as their peers across the nation.

Here’s the good news! Dental disease is preventable with daily self-care, fluoride, professional cleanings and sealants.

Oh, and about those two students….

Shortly after seeing them, I received a follow up call from the Family Advocate at the Healthy Start office. Both children have returned to school. The first student’s teacher reports that she is doing well and completing extra credit work to catch up. The second student’s mother stated that she will always be grateful for the help her child received. Her son told the Family Advocate,”I’m glad to go back to school. I’m learning how to read!” and that, gave me a smile!

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