| Article |
April 3, 2007
The Globe
New oral health law requires dental check-up for children starting public school
Recent state legislation (AB1433) requires children attending public school to present proof of dental evaluation by May 31 of their first year in public school.
More than two-thirds of California's children suffer from tooth decay, according to the 2005 Dental Health Foundation's California Smile Survey. Tooth decay is progressive, and if not treated medically, can continue chronically unless the underlying infection is addressed. It can lead to a variety of developmental problems for children, including impaired speech development due to tooth loss, low self-esteem, academic challenges due to missed school days and nutritional issues caused by difficulty in eating.
"Dental health is important and should not be neglected. Children need ongoing preventive dental care just as they do medical care to maintain optimal health," said Alameda Alliance for Health Chief Medical Director Dr. Arthur Chen.
Chen added, "This is a great opportunity to remind parents of the value of preventive health screenings, which can help to identify problems in children before they become more serious. We support the American Academy of Pediatrics' policy of promoting a dental assessment by age 6 months. At the same time, we want to encourage parents to seek ongoing dental services and dental coverage for their children."
There are several health coverage programs available that include dental care, such as Medi-Cal, Healthy Families and Healthy Kids program. Alameda Alliance for Health, the local nonprofit plan in Alameda County, offers dental coverage.
In situations where a dental check-up cannot be obtained, parents may be excused from the requirement by filing out the form provided by the child's school.
Copies of the required form are also available at the California Department of Education's website at www.cde.ca.gov.