Katya Mauritson, DMD Oral Health Unit Director Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Percent of Colorado parents reporting that their child (age 1 through 5) first went to the dentist by 12 months of age, Source: Colorado Child Health Survey, Health Statistics Section, CDPHE Percent Goal: 4.6% by 2016

Percent of 3rd grade children in Colorado with sealants, Oral Health Basic Screening Survey Percent Source: Oral Health Program, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Sealants = Percentage of 3 rd Grade Students with dental sealants on at least one permanent molar tooth Goal: 39% by 2016

Toolkit for Promoting Maternal and Child Oral Health in Colorado Communities oralhealthcolorado.org/ new-toolkit-for-promoting-oral- health-in-colorado-communities

School Basic Screening Survey

Measures the oral health status: Current, untreated decay History of decay ECC for kindergartners Sealants on permanent molars on 3 rd graders Urgency of dental needs Referral links

High Five Break!!!

Oral Health Indicators in Kindergarten Children Sources: Prevention Services Division. Chew on This: 2011 Report on Oral Health in Colorado, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, The Impact of Oral Disease on the Health of Coloradans Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Data cited from 2004, , and Basic Screening Survey.

Key Findings for

Children in schools with >75% of students eligible for free or reduced price meal program Compared with <25% of students eligible for free or reduced price meal program Significantly higher prevalence of untreated cavities Kindergarten 19% vs. 7% Third grade 18% vs. 18% Higher prevalence of cavities experience Kindergarten 53% vs.23% Third grade 73% vs. 41% Higher prevalence of prevalence of obesity Kindergarten 10% vs. 5% Third grade 25% vs. 6%

Hispanic Population Obesity – significantly higher prevalence compared with white, non-Hispanics Kindergarten 12% vs 7% Third grade 24% vs 9% Significantly higher prevalence of cavity experience compared with White non-Hispanic population Kindergarten 55% vs 32% Third grade 70% vs 48%

SEALANTS – proven method for preventing decay Third Graders: already beat WB target of 39% (45%)

Resources Oral Health Colorado Mobile and Portable Dental Services in Preschool and School Settings: Complex Issues School-Based or School-Linked Mobile or Portable Dental Services Policy Statement Memorandum of Understanding

Colorado and Fluoride

Unfounded fear about Fluorosis:

Mass Medication? The American Public Health Association notes: “It has been the position of the American courts that a significant government interest in the health and welfare of the public generally overrides individual objections to public health regulation.” U.S. Courts have consistently ruled that water fluoridation is not a form of compulsory mass medication or socialized medicine The courts have ruled that: Fluoride is a nutrient, not a medication No one is forced to drink fluoridated water

Resources State Oral Health Unit Health Department CDC’s My Water’s Fluoride Pew’s ILikeMyTeeth.org One of the “great public health achievements of the 20th century.”