When children’s oral health suffers, so does their ability to learn.
Tooth decay can have far reaching effects on a child’s life. Untreated decay and dental disease can have a detrimental effect on a child’s quality of life, their performance in school, and their success in later life. Pain and infection can disrupt concentration in the classroom and compromises a child’s ability to eat well, sleep well, socialize, and even speak.
Furthermore, inadequate nutrition due to decreased appetite and difficulty eating can have damaging effects on children’s cognitive development and on their productivity as adults. Nutritional deficiencies also negatively affect children’s school performance, their ability to concentrate and perform complex tasks, and their behavior.
Children with poor oral health were nearly 3 times more likely than their counterparts to miss school as a result of dental pain.
Here in Florida, 23.4% of 3rd graders have untreated tooth decay.
In alignment with the nationwide campaign’s focus on health for bigger outcomes, the Suncoast Campaign for Grade Level Reading is addressing health-related challenges locally to help children succeed and thrive by supporting dental sealant programs in Manatee and Sarasota counties.
Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County — 2017
726
Number of 2nd grade students who were screened and received health education
722
Number of 2nd grade students who received fluoride
550
Number of 2nd grade students who received dental sealants
101
Number of 2nd grade students referred for additional treatment
Manatee County Rural Health Dental Van — 2017
238
Number of 2nd grade students who were screened and received health education
