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Tooth decay is common in children
and often untreated, according to a report from the US Centers from Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC).
A CDC-sponsored screening of
third graders attending 26 New Hampshire public schools found that 52%
had tooth decay, or dental caries, and nearly 22% had untreated cavities.
The survey included 410 children
screened between February and April 2001. Overall, nearly 70% of children,
all between the ages of 8 and 9 years, had no obvious dental problems,
25% required early care and 5% required urgent care. About 46% had sealants
on at least one permanent molar.
Sealants are applied to permanent
teeth in order to prevent decay.
Despite improvements in oral
health in the United States, by late adolescence approximately
80% of children have a history of caries.
The New Hampshire screening
results mirror those found in Maine in 1999, showing a similar percentage
of children with a history of dental caries, untreated dental caries and
sealants on permanent molars.
CDC officials point out that
the national health objectives for 2010 aim for decreasing the level of
untreated decay in children aged 6 to 8 years to 21%, and a history of
caries in this age group of 42%. The objectives also aim to increase the
number children with sealants on permanent teeth to 50% of 8-year-olds.
Morbidity
and Mortality Weekly Report March 29, 2002;51:258-260
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