New Report on Age One Dental Visits

Online, September 16, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Michigan Oral Health Coalition released its 2013 Check-Up on Oral Health: Age One Dental Visits report today. The report ranks each of Michigan's 83 counties by the percentage of Medicaid-enrolled children, age one and under who received an oral evaluation between October 1, 2011 and Septemeber 30, 2012. Statewide, only 3.6% of Michigan's 129,864 Medicaid-eligible children age one and under received dental care.

The American Association of Public Health Dentistry, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and American Public Health Association recommend that infants receive an oral evaluation within six months of the eruption of the first primary tooth, but no later than 12 months of age.

The following chart highlights the top 10 Michigan counties by the percentage of Medicaid-enrolled children under age two who received an oral evaluation. The complete 2013 Check-Up on Oral Health: Age One Dental Visits report is available online at www.mohc.org.

County Ranking Percentage of Children with Dental Visit

Luce 14.7%
Mackinac 13.1%
Sanilac 11.7%
Marquette 10.9%
Chippewa 10.9%
Van Buren 10.7%
Muskegon 10.5%
Branch 10.4%
Antrim 10.2%
Genesee 10.1%

Tooth decay is the most prevalent chronic childhood disease in the United States. Each year, tens of millions of children, many who come from low-income families, go without seeing a dentist. Although tooth decay is largely preventable, it remains largely untreated in young children.

Michigan Oral Health Coalition is a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve oral health in Michigan by focusing on prevention, health promotion, oral health data, access, and the link between oral health and overall health. With more than 125 members, the Coalition is comprised of primary care clinicians, oral health clinicians, dental benefit providers, advocacy and provider organizations, state and local government officials, and consumers working together to improve oral health in Michigan. For more information, visit www.mohc.org.