Prevention First

Approximately 500 million dental visits occur annually in the United States. Over $60 billion are spent on dental services. Yet many U.S. children and adults still suffer needlessly from oral diseases that could be prevented.

Children

By the ages of 2-4 years, 17% of U.S. children have already experienced tooth decay. Those children with the most serious disease have been shown to weigh significantly less than the recommended weight for their age. Among low-income children, up to 80 percent of tooth decay remains untreated, resulting in pain, dysfunction, and poor appearance - problems that greatly reduce a child’s capacity to succeed.

Adults

Serious problems occur among adults, as well. Oral infections have been strongly linked to systemic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, and pregnancy complications (low birth weight babies and pre-term births).

Older Adults

Among the elderly, approximately 44% no longer have their natural teeth. More than 8,000 people die of oral and pharyngeal cancers each year.

Such levels of disease - and the high treatment cost they generate - are unnecessary. Proven preventive measures, such as water fluoridation and dental sealants, can markedly reduce dental disease, yet they often remain unavailable to those who most need them.  (Centers for Disease Control, 1998)