Why Are Tooth Decay Rates So High Among Kentucky’s Preschoolers?
A recent survey by the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry reveals alarmingly high rates of dental caries among Kentucky children ages 2 to 5, surpassing national averages. This troubling trend highlights the urgent need for early dental care and preventive efforts across the state.
The University of Kentucky College of Dentistry’s 2023 survey on early childhood oral health has uncovered a concerning trend: preschool-aged children in Kentucky are experiencing dental decay at rates significantly above the national average. The Kentucky Early Learners’ Oral Health Surveillance Project found that 2- to 5-year-olds in the state are battling untreated tooth decay at rates comparable to the most at-risk groups in the United States, underscoring a critical health disparity.
The survey, one of the largest of its kind in the state, evaluated more than 6,600 children across 106 counties. Led by local dental hygienists, the screenings identified regional, demographic, and socioeconomic factors driving these high decay rates. Findings revealed that children in rural Head Start programs and Black children in low-income areas of Jefferson County are particularly vulnerable. One of the most significant drivers of these high decay rates is the fact that many Kentucky children do not receive dental care until they report pain.
State health leaders discussed strategies at a recent conference to tackle this issue, focusing on early intervention and improved access to care. Educating families on proper oral hygiene as well as improving access to care were suggested as possible solutions.
Kentucky has 25 dental health provider shortage areas; two counties — Owsley and Robertson — do not have a single dentist. Most dental providers are located in the state’s cities, leaving residents of rural areas with little to no access to dental care. Low reimbursement rates for providers who accept Medicaid are a significant barrier.
At the same time, the Kentucky legislature is considering House Bill 141, which would end the state’s water fluoridation mandate, putting control of whether to fluoridate water in the hands of individual city governments. The Kentucky Dental Association and the insurer Delta Dental oppose the bill. Kentucky ranks 43rd in oral health. Click here to read more.
