ADA Commends ABC News

The American Dental Association (ADA) commends ABC News for focusing national attention on the unmet oral health needs of children in remote Appalachian regions. They, and many millions of other children and adults throughout the country, continue to suffer from tooth decay, gum disease or other oral health conditions that make it difficult to eat, sleep, succeed at work or school, or even smile.

We hope that the Good Morning America (GMA) and 20/20 segments depicting heartbreaking cases of severe tooth decay among Appalachian children will result in meaningful action on the part of legislators, state and federal health agencies, health care professionals, corporations, communities and individuals.

Dentists across America are greatly concerned that frequent consumption of all types of sugary drinks and non-nutritious snack foods are taking a toll on people’s teeth. Cavities are caused by a variety of factors, and diet plays a role. Mouth bacteria break down sugars in foods and beverages releasing acid that can weaken tooth enamel and eventually cause cavities. To reduce this risk, people should eat a balanced diet, limit between meal snacking, brush their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily. Regular dental checkups are also important to diagnose and treat any problems early on.

Dr. Edwin Smith, who was featured in the GMA segment, is one of tens of thousands of US dentists who give generously of their time and skill to help children and adults who lack access to dental care through community based programs or national volunteer efforts such as the ADA’s Give Kids A Smile www.givekidsasmile.ada.org and the independent America’s Dentists Care Foundation  www.adcfmom.org/mom_event.htm and Donated Dental Services programs www.nfdh.org .  A recent ADA study estimates that dentists across the country provided some $2.16 billion in charitable care in 2007 alone.

While saluting their heroic efforts, the ADA must also point out volunteerism alone cannot solve the problem of access to dental care. Public health programs such as Medicaid are supposed to provide a safety net of medical and dental coverage for children, yet sadly, most states allocate just 2 percent or less of their Medicaid budgets to dental services. Until the federal and state governments adequately fund Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, millions of Americans will continue to needlessly suffer.

ADA member dentists have long fought to improve the nation’s oral health through legislative advocacy, public education, and volunteerism. By working together with other health professionals, legislators, health agencies, corporations, communities and individuals, we can develop community-based solutions that work. As former Surgeon General David Satcher, MD, PhD said, “Oral health is integral to general health. You cannot be healthy without oral health.”

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