Tooth decay is America’s #1 Chronic Childhood Disease

Pediatric dental disease, more commonly known as severe tooth decay, has reached epidemic proportions. Millions of children are suffering from tooth decay, in pain so severe, it affects their ability to eat, sleep, and learn.

Left untreated, tooth decay not only causes lifelong health complications for the afflicted; its social and economic consequences affect our entire nation.

A Silent Epidemic

• Pediatric dental disease is 5 times more common than asthma and 7 times more common than hay fever
• 44% of American children will suffer from pediatric dental disease before they reach kindergarten
• 73% of preschoolers and 48% of primary school age children who have experienced cavities currently have unfilled cavities
• While the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists (AAPD) recommends that every child establish a dental home by their first birthday, only 1.5% of 1-year-olds have had a dental office visit compared with 89% who have had an office-based physician visit
• 4.5 million children develop pediatric dental disease every year
• Left untreated, pediatric dental disease can lead to malnourishment, bacterial infections, required emergency surgery, and even death
• Dental disease has been linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, pneumonia, poor pregnancy outcomes, and dementia

A National Crisis

• More than 51 million school hours and 164 million work hours are lost each year due to dental disease, leading to increased educational disparities and decreased productivity.
• Approximately 43% of Americans lack dental insurance, including more than 20 million children; this is almost 3 times the population lacking medical coverage.
• For every $1 spent on oral health preventive measures, American taxpayers are saved as much as $50 in restorative and emergency procedures for the under- and uninsured.

The good news?

Pediatric dental disease is not only treatable and curable, it is completely preventable through basic education and proper oral hygiene practices.

NCOHF is dedicated to eliminating children’s preventable pain and suffering from severe tooth decay. By supporting a national Affiliate network of nonprofit healthcare partners and facilitating signature volunteer programs, NCOHF is working aggressively to ensure that all children have the building blocks for happy, healthy and productive futures.

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