Survey Shows Improvement In Dental Care Among Pierce County Children

A report released by the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department says the community is making strides in improving the oral health of children, but low-income children are still more likely to have tooth decay.

The department’s Smile Survey 2010 found that overall, the access to dental care has improved —based on the number of children with untreated tooth decay and the percentage of third-graders with dental sealants — among ethnic minorities since 2005. That was the last time the survey was taken.

The health department surveyed 21 elementary schools throughout Pierce County and a random same of 14 Head Start and Early Childhood Education and Assessment Program preschools during the 2009-2010 school year.

This year’s survey also showed Pierce County improved in the amount widespread tooth decay among children, which is considered seven or more teeth, dropping from 39 percent to 21 percent among third-graders, which was the case for all ethnic and income groups.

“While on a whole the results show improvement, too many Pierce County children are still experiencing dental decay, which is a preventable condition,” wrote Bridget Vandeventer, spokeswoman for the health department. “We also have concerns with the disparities in dental services. Racial disparities were decreased; however low-income students were more likely to have untreated decay and were less likely to have sealants than other children.”

Pierce County appears to be outpacing pacing the state, which found the tooth decay rate remained unchanged from 2005.

Despite the improvements, local health officials indicated in the report that low-income children and children attending schools without fluoridated water are disproportionally affected by dental decay.

“The 2010 Smile Survey results show that our community has made progress in some areas but not in others,” according to the report. “A comprehensive, coordinated oral health plan for Pierce County would take us further still in improving oral health in our community.”