We read quite often about the lack of dental care in the childhood population.

As reported in the Journal of the American Dental Association, fully 82% of children went to the dentist and utilized preventive services.

It has been, and remains, a concern that the segment of children growing up in poorer populations have numbers far below 82%.

In fact, reports by parents, relatives and caregivers point to a 76% utilization rate of children from households that are at less than the federal poverty level, while 80% of those from 100 – 200% of the poverty level have seen the dentist for preventive services.

A drop-off indeed, and we’d like to see 100% of all children see a dentist regularly, this is heartening.

Other surveys have shown similar numbers, some more than 82% and other a bit less.

Nonetheless, the dental profession strives to address the needs and concerns of children and their parents as best possible.  In urban areas, it is difficult to miss a dental office at some corner, a medical building or alongside a hospital.  In rural areas, finding a dentist may be a bit more difficult.  Either way, if you have trouble finding a dentist for your child, ask your pediatrician, nurse practitioner, pharmacist or other healthcare professional for a referral.