Health staff: children’s tooth decay an issue

    According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood illness in the United States and the most preventable of all health problems.
    Tooth decay is a big problem in southwest Nebraska, according to local health workers.  
    Polish Your Pearls is a grant-based dental program implemented by Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department that helps supplement regular dental visits to provide optimal protection against cavities for children.
    The program is available to day cares and schools in the district to provide oral health screening, dental education and application of fluoride varnish.
    “Since this program has been providing dental care in day cares and schools in eight of the nine counties, we have learned that the lack of dental knowledge and dental care in our health district is a bigger problem than we thought,” said Sarah Minnick, Program Manager.
    “With Polish your Pearls, we have seen children with large cavities in their teeth and even teeth missing because of decay. After each dental exam with a licensed hygienist, a note is sent home with the child to inform the parent of the results,” she said.
    Staff helps parents find a dentist if one is needed, but this can be very challenging for parents since the health district lacks dental Medicaid providers.
    “This means people have to drive several hours away to find a dentist, which, even then, is not always possible,” Minnick said.
    SWNPHD has been working with local agencies to help provide oral health care to children.
    One of the partners is Angie Paisley, school nurse at Chase County Schools, which has been a long-time participant in the Polish Your Pearls dental program.
    During the partner meetings, Paisley organized an activity to provide toothbrushes to parents who visit Chase County Immunization Clinic’s Vaccines for Children program administered through Chase County Community Hospital.
    This effort was made possible by the Imperial Community Foundation, who  provided the funding to purchase the toothbrushes.  
    “I see many children every year who are experiencing mouth pain and other issues with their teeth that disrupt their focus, learning and cause short term and life-long health issues,” Paisley said.  
    “By the time we see these children in kindergarten, the decay has already become so advanced they need major dental care. We need to continue to educate parents before their children enter school. We want to do whatever we can to help these children get a healthy start in life,” she said.
    This work is ongoing, with oral health projects in Chase County and throughout the health district. These projects will include more planning with partners, providing more education and basic dental care to children, securing transportation to specialty dentists and increasing preventive services within the school system, among other possibilities.
    Anyone interested in participating in the oral health group can contact Minnick at SWNPHD at 308-345-4223.