Guest column: Dental health is key to children’s health | Guest Columns

Nothing captures innocent joy like a child’s smile. As a dentist and a new dad, this is especially true for me.

Yet far too many young smiles are put at risk every day because the importance of oral health to overall health remains overlooked within our health system and the barriers to care faced by our underserved communities remain overwhelming for so many. February marks National Children’s Dental Health Month, but the conversation shouldn’t be tied to a holiday. We must examine why such a critical aspect of a child’s healthy future is so often overlooked and how we can make sure all Louisiana children get the dental care they need to thrive.

First, let’s acknowledge that simply having insurance coverage does not ensure access. I see the systemic barriers to access firsthand in my work as the dental director for DentaQuest, one of the organizations managing the state’s Medicaid dental program.

Many different things contribute to difficulty accessing oral health care, but all demonstrate how social determinants of health drive oral health disparities. From living in a dental desert — nearly every parish is designated as a federal dental health professional shortage area — to difficulty finding culturally competent care or transportation challenges, food insecurity and poor nutrition, lower-income families and communities of color face significant barriers to oral health care.

But we can address the gap between having benefits and using benefits by focusing on two key areas: education and access.

Many parents assume that because baby teeth are temporary, they don’t need to worry about the dentist yet, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. While we may lose our baby teeth, we do not lose the elements that make our mouths ripe for cavities: bacteria, dietary habits, hygiene habits, and even underlying medical conditions.

Experts agree children should see a dentist as soon as their first tooth comes in. This is so families can establish relationships with their primary dentist, dental professionals can ensure a child’s mouth is structurally healthy, and children can make positive associations with the dental office. It is also a chance for families to learn healthy hygiene and nutrition practices, hopefully reducing the need for restorative dental services in the near future.

Cavities are one of the most common chronic diseases among children in the United States. Data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that by age 9, half of American children have had a cavity in at least one of their teeth. The CDC also highlights that 34 million school hours are lost due to emergency dental care needs, which can be far less risky with regular dental care. Poor oral health, including cavities and gum disease, impacts nutrition, school attendance, self-esteem, and many other aspects of a person’s well-being.

The good news is, there are things we can do in Louisiana to improve access for those who need it most. For one, we can meet people where they are. This means taking advantage of existing innovations such as teledentistry and mobile dentistry, methods that have proved extremely popular and successful in overcoming barriers to oral care. EXCELth community health center in New Orleans, for example, is rebuilding its mobile dental unit to bring oral health care to more people in Orleans and surrounding parishes.

Other programs go beyond traditional care. DentaQuest’s case management program, for example, works with Medicaid-enrolled families and individuals to help them find a dental home (a dental version of a primary care provider) and connects them with additional resources to overcome other access barriers. That may include identifying transportation options or helping the family find a provider who can competently care for a child with disabilities.

There’s no question that social determinants of health, including oral health, can change the trajectory of a child’s life. So, as we look to build a healthy future for all Louisianans, we must ensure that oral health is not left behind.