Posted July 13, 2010

by Annette Leong, Southern Willamette Valley, Regional Action Initiative Coordinator

In the midst of the media’s focus on various health scares, we hear very little about dental health disease. Often called a “silent epidemic”, dental health disease is on the rise in the United States for the first time in 40 years. And, for the most part, it’s preventable.

Why is this happening? For many of the same reasons that affect all aspects of health care: lack of insurance, inadequate education, and a shortage of providers.

Here in Oregon, from 2002- 2007, there has been a 49% increase in untreated decay in first through third graders.

As one volunteer dentist said, “Having treated well over 1300 children for free in the last two years I am still overwhelmed with the tremendous need that exists in our community, our state and our country.” 

Both OCF’s Southern Willamette Valley Leadership Council and the South Coast Leadership Council are focusing regional efforts on improving children’s dental health.

The Southern Willamette Valley Council recently announced the results of research that points to the need for a coordinated response focused on increasing prevention efforts, education and access to care and are working on a community response to these findings.

OCF’s South Coast Council has awarded a grant to Coos County to hire a local dental health coordinator to build partnerships between schools and dental professionals and increase public outreach efforts.

As an enthusiastic editorial in the Eugene Register-Guard said about this effort, “It promises to have big results.”

Let’s ensure that Oregon’s young people aren’t hampered by health issues that can be prevented with early, low-cost intervention.  

The Children’s Dental Health Initiatives are part of OCF’s Regional Action Initiative, a statewide citizen engagement project. More information here: Southern Willamette Valley and the South Coast.