Children and Oral Disease

            The most vulnerable in our society, children of low socioeconomic status, are at greatest risk for developing an oral disease. Twenty-five percent of poor children have not seen a dentist before entering kindergarten. Many children do not have access to basic dental care and lack the education needed to achieve a healthy smile. Dental caries is the most chronic childhood disease, five times more common than asthma. Oral health is a critical key to overall health and wellness. Early health promotion during childhood improves lifetime knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes.