Oral health is an important part of overall health

Children are not healthy if their mouths are not healthy

Dental disease, the most common chronic disease of childhood, is a growing and serious health problem in Washington. Nearly 50 percent of low-income preschoolers have dental decay.

A child with untreated decay has difficulty eating and sleeping properly, may experience delayed speech and is at risk for additional health problems. Dental disease is preventable, especially when intervention occurs early. Experts recommend that children have their first oral health screening by age one.

Physicians can help improve children’s oral health because early intervention is so important, and very young children usually see a physician more than eight times for well-child care before their first visit to a dentist.

The Washington State Medical Association, Washington Academy of Family Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics-WA State Chapter have passed resolutions to encourage physicians to identify and promote treatment of oral health problems and to support education and advocacy efforts aimed at reducing the burden of disease.

“Delivering oral health preventive care has been easier than I anticipated. Parents are very open to the idea of dental disease prevention being delivered in the physician’s office. They are grateful for the emphasis on prevention.”
– Dr. Carl Lindgren, Olympia pediatrician