| Dental caries is the most common
chronic disease affecting children in the United States. It is
5 times more common than asthma and 7 times more common than hay
fever. Early childhood dental caries emerge within all cultural
and economic pediatric populations. By the time children are in
preschool (ages 2-3), 18.7% have at least 1 tooth with untreated
caries. By early school (ages 5-9), 51.6% have either a carious
lesion or a filling in a primary tooth. Overall, 58.6% children
ages 5 to 17 have caries. Pediatricians and other child health
professionals can have a major impact on oral health outcomes
for children because of the opportunities provided by early intervention.
In response to this issue, the American Academy of Pediatrics
in partnership with the federal Maternal
and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), have implemented the Oral
Health Initiative. The purpose of the program is to promote
improved child oral health by offering pediatricians and other
child health professionals the tools and support they need to
provide community-based, collaborative care.
This Web site has been developed by the Oral Health Initiative
to provide pediatricians, child health professionals, and parents
with information and resources related to oral health.
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