Conference Proceedings - School of Nursing & Midwifery - Trinity ...

School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin: 8 th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference
Transforming Healthcare Through Research, Education & Technology: 7 th – 9 th November 2007
Conference Proceedings
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The Silent Epidemic: Oral Disease in Children
Louise C. Waszak, PhD, CRNP, APRN,BC
Assistant Professor
University of Pittsburgh
Department of Health Promotions and Development
440 Victoria Building
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
Office: 412-624-9745
Fax: 412-634-8521
E-mail: lcwaszak@pitt.edu
Oral disease in children continues to be the most prevalent
infectious and untreated disease in children in the US and Canada.
In the US, 25% of the school-age children suffer 75% of the
nation’s tooth decay resulting in approximately 50 million school
hours lost per year. These children are typically from economically
or socially disadvantaged families or have a disabling condition.
Compared to the US, Pennsylvania statistics are worse with only
21% of the children receiving dental services in the year 2000. In
addition, children from the poorest families had twice as many
dental caries than children from financially stable families. As a
nation, the long-range health care implications for poor oral heath is
concerning. Studies have not only shown a relationship between
periodontal disease and systemic conditions such as cardiovascular
disease and diabetes mellitus but also an increased risk for very
preterm deliveries in mothers with dental disease. The purpose of
this study was to improve the dental health in the over 600
children, aged 3 to 5 years of age in low-income families enrolled in
the Head Start Program in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania,
USA. Measures for conducting an oral health risk assessment and
establishing the “dental home” through anticipatory guidance and
education were implemented. For the academic year 2003-2004,
67% of the enrolled children had dental exams with 25% of those
children receiving treatment. By the academic year 2005-2006,
83% of the enrolled children received dental exams with 30% of
those children receiving further treatment. The project continues
with financial support from the American Dental Association in order
to provide all members in the household with toothbrushes and
dental floss. Ongoing education on proper oral care and the
importance of good dental health will be extended to all family
members in the forthcoming year.
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