Chicago, May 22, 2007 —A new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that the rate of preschoolers with cavities has spiked to an alarming 28 percent, which translates into more than one in every four children between the ages of two and five. It is the leading childhood disease – five times more common than asthma and 20 times more common than diabetes, but is preventable.
The seemingly minor problem of a toothache can adversely affect children’s overall health – their motivation to learn, their desire to eat – and in some cases it can even be life-threatening. Within the last three months, two children have lost their lives to preventable complications from infected teeth.
The American Academy of the Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) advocates for children’s dental health care. Pediatric dentists from around the world are meeting in San Antonio this week for the AAPD’s 60th Scientific Annual Session. The leadership of the AAPD will be visiting the Ricardo Salinas Clinic to learn from the successes of the Pediatric Dental Care Program. For the past four years, the Clinic has been working to help San Antonio’s children in need, many of whom could not afford dental services otherwise, as 85 percent of these children do not have dental insurance or qualify for Medicaid.
“I compliment this facility for providing these children with a dental home,” said AAPD President Dr. Philip H. Hunke. “The AAPD believes that each child should see a dentist by his or her first birthday. Cavities are preventable, and early visits help ensure each child will have optimal oral health.”
“We have been very grateful for the efforts of the kind people from the clinic,” said one grandmother, Mrs. Maria Gonzalez. “They have been there to help the children in my community without insurance. My grandchildren do not have any insurance. I am fortunate to have a place to take them for care.”
“These children need our attention, and I hope every citizen, lawmaker and doctor makes fighting tooth decay a top priority,” expressed Dr. Adriana Segura, a pediatric dentist at the Salinas Clinic. “We continue to raise the awareness within the community that no child should suffer in pain.”
Media Event
Location—Ricardo Salinas Clinic, 630 S. General McMullen, San Antonio, TX
Date—Tuesday, May 22nd
Time—11 A.M.-NOON
Day of event, please contact Tara Hamacher at (773) 301-0643
A-Roll and B-Roll Opportunities:
Children can be videotaped and recorded during their dental exams (please bring
release forms for parents/guardians’ consent)
Families (2-3) available for interviews
Pediatric dentists (2) can offer knowledge and advice for parents
AAPD President Dr. Philip Hunke, of McAllen, Texas, will be on hand for interviews about societal issues surrounding children’s dental health. He and other pediatric dentists travel regularly to Washington, D.C., to advocate for children.
Dr. Segura, professor and interim chair of Community Dentistry at UTHSCSA, will be available for Spanish-language interviews.
or more information, please visit the AAPD’s website at www.aapd.org.
