31% of U.S. parents say kids missed school due to dental problems
How much school missed: 18 percent of parents reported their children missed at least a half a day of school, while 4 percent said their children missed one day, 4 percent reported children missing two days and 6 percent said their children had to miss three or more days.
A new survey from Delta Dental found more than 30 percent of parents said their children between the ages of 6 and 12 had to miss school due to an oral health problem.
The breakdown:
How much school missed: 18 percent of parents reported their children missed at least a half a day of school, while 4 percent said their children missed one day, 4 percent reported children missing two days and 6 percent said their children had to miss three or more days.
By region: Children in the Northeast reported the most absences because of a dental issue, with 36 percent of parents reporting their 6-to 12-year-olds missed school, followed by the South (33 percent), the Midwest (28 percent) and the West (28 percent).
By parents' age: Parents age 35-44 reported the most amount of school missed by their children (35 percent), followed closely by parents 18-34 (34 percent), while parents 45 and older reported the least amount of school missed (19 percent).
Related reading: Survey finds shocking number of patients lie to their dentists about flossing
The good news is attention to the issue over the summer can help avoid oral health problems. Delta Dental, a nonprofit national network of independent dental service corporations, provides six quick tips to help parents get their kids on the right oral health track during the summer months:
Brush all surfaces of the teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
Brush gently for about two minutes and pay special attention to the gum line.
Floss at least once a day.
Limit not only sugary snacks but also high-starch or refined carbohydrate foods. These include foods like chips, pretzels, cookies, breads and dried fruits, including raisins. The bacteria that cause tooth decay thrive on simple sugars, especially those in sticky foods and treats.
Limit fruit juice or other sweet/sugary drinks to mealtimes. Between meals and especially at bedtime, give your child water. It keeps them hydrated and helps prevent tooth-decay if your community water is fluoridated.
And, of course, go to the dentist early enough before school starts to learn about current or looming issues that could pose a problem.
More information can be found online in Delta Dental's child dental and oral health care section.
Research: Study finds periodontal disease most prevalent among ethnic minorities
Floss & Flip Flops Episode 22: National Dental Hygiene Month
October 1st 2023Join the Sanders Sisters and Dr Anna Kay Thompson as they learn about the burning questions the medical community is not asking about oral health. Learn about all of the ways they are celebrating the good work of dental hygienists in their quest for whole-body health.
Colgate and Hip Hop Public Health Launch Paste Time Educator Toolkit for Oral Health Education
November 30th 2023Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® and Hip Hop Public Health have unveiled the Paste Time Educator Toolkit, a free online resource designed to help teachers integrate engaging oral health education into their curricula using the power of music.
Floss and Flip Flops Episode 17: Better Sleep Month with Avi Weisfogel
May 3rd 2023Where do dreams come from? Why do some of us snore? Is it healthy to sleep with four dogs in your bed? This month, the Sanders Sisters discuss beauty sleep with Avi Weisfogel of the International Academy of Sleep, why it is so important and ultimately, how to achieve better sleep for better overall wellness.
Dental Products Report 2023 Greater New York Dental Meeting Product Solutions Center Roundup
November 29th 2023If you can't be at the 2023 Greater New York Dental Meeting, catch up on the biggest news and most exciting products shared from the stage of the Dental Products Report Product Solution Center.
