Contact: Burton L. Edelstein DDS MPH, 202-905-4498, ble22@columbia.edu

WASHINGTON, May 1 /Standard Newswire/ -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention yesterday reported that tooth decay in baby teeth has increased 15 percent among U.S. toddlers and preschoolers ages 2 to 5 years old. During the period 1999-2004, 28 percent of young children had experienced cavities.

CDC's new national study, "Trends in Oral Health Status - United States, 1988-1994 and 1999-2004," also found that 74 percent of young children who have experienced tooth decay were in need of dental repair.

"Findings that one-quarter of young children have cavities once again verifies that tooth decay remains the single most common chronic disease of childhood in the US. Trends among young children are both worsening and worrisome because so many parents have trouble finding dental care for their young children," said Children's Dental Health Project Board Chairman, Professor Burton Edelstein of Columbia University.

The report, issued one month after a Maryland 12-year-old died from complications of a dental abscess that spread to his brain, draws attention to the importance of children's oral health and access to basic dental care.

Following the Maryland child's death, U.S. Representative Frank Pallone (D-NJ) convened a Congressional hearing on children's oral health at which national dental groups called upon Congress to improve oral health care for children. The American Dental Association was joined by dental educators and the Children's Dental Health Project in asking Congress to make dental care a required benefit in the State Child Health Insurance Program and to require states to report on their performance getting dental care to covered children.

"This new study provides additional scientific support to highlight and address children's oral health and to ensure that children get the basic dental care that they need," stated Nancy Gralla, Executive Director of the Children's Dental Health Project, a Washington DC policy center dedicated to improving children's access to oral health.

Pediatric dentistry experts note that the upturn in cavities among young children portends a new wave of increased tooth decay because early tooth decay is a predictor of future tooth decay. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatrics suggest that early dental care is important to prevent cavities. Both professional associations recommend that children have their first dental visit when their first tooth appears around age 6 months or by the first birthday.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has partnered with the Children's Dental Health Project to improve young children's oral health by promoting early dental care and establishing a dental home for every child.

The Children's Dental Health Project of Washington, D.C., advances policies that improve children's access to oral health and forges research-driven policies and innovative solutions by engaging a broad base of partners committed to children and oral health.

CDHP's Web site, www.cdhp.org, contains a wealth of background information on children and dental care. In addition, the organization has ongoing partnerships with other national agencies and organizations involved in children's dental access, including the CDC. Dr. Edelstein and CDHP are available to provide additional information on the state of children's dental health in the US and the relationship to governmental programs intended to improve children's dental health.

Dr. Edelsten is Professor of Dentistry and Health Policy, Columbia University, and Board Chair, Children's Dental Health Project, Inc. He may be contacted at 202-905-4498.