Tuesday, 4 December 2007
Idaho Oral Health Summit Addresses Dental Health
In 2006, one-third of adult residents in Idaho didn’t see a dentist, reported the Idaho Statesman. State records also show that children in the third grade had an increased number of cavities.
Health care experts say the reason so many residents aren’t getting their teeth cleaned regularly is because they have no dental insurance. It’s estimated that around 50 percent of adults and approximately 25 percent of children have no dental coverage.
Further, many people don’t realize how important dental health is to overall health. This leads to people letting years pass without going to the dentist.
“It’s all about raising people’s awareness and encouraging them to make healthy choices,” said Idaho’s highest ranking dental official, Debra James. She is also the state’s Health and Welfare’s oral health program manager.
“Every time you chew, you’re driving bacteria into the bloodstream,” said Dr. Dan Watt, DDS.
The state created the Idaho Oral Health Summit to discuss possible solutions to the dental health issue. The Summit consists of 225 dental professionals and experts, along with state officials. So far their plan is to focus on access, prevention, education, and funding.
The Summit will bring together providers, schools, and patients to talk about matters such as the preventive use of fluoride and an oral health network.
Officials guessed that a statewide plan would be done by the spring.
“We’re really trying to educate Idahoans that there’s this body [and] mouth connection,” said Lisa Reed, a representative from benefits provider, Delta Dental.
“The ultimate solution is to work as a team,” said president of Idaho State Dental Association, Dr. Tim Thompson.
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