Pew about Children's Dental Campaign

Dental Therapists in New Zealand: What the Evidence Shows

This brief provides an overview of New Zealand’s use of dental therapists to provide care for children, and offers insights for U.S. policymakers about how midlevel providers can expand children’s access to dental care, prevent and treat tooth decay, and improve public health.

Working With Midlevel Providers: Dentists' Perspectives

Midlevel dental providers perform preventive care and routine restorative duties, such as filling cavities. Although they work in more than 50 countries, including Canada and Britain, Minnesota and Alaska are the two states in which midlevel dental providers are licensed to work as part of the dental team. In Minnesota, dental therapists work in a variety of settings. Two dentists who supervise these practitioners in Minnesota share their perspectives.

Minneapolis Star Tribune: Minnesota Dental Therapy Model Goes Nationwide

Christy Fogarty was certified Feb. 15 as the state’s first advanced dental therapist, which is reason to cheer unless you’re 7 year old Tia Seaberry. Tia, wearing pink sequined boots and bluejeans on a recent Wednesday morning, will be forgiven

Baltimore Sun: Advocates, Insurers Duel Over Cost of Child Dental Coverage

Health advocates are concerned that new guidance from the Obama administration could make it more expensive for some low- and middle-income parents to pay for dental insurance for their children once the new health care law takes effect next year.

The News Tribune: Fluoridation: Where the Real Tax Savings Are

Our editorial today argues for restoring Medicaid dental coverage for poor adults. That would cost the state something on the order of $30 million and the federal government more, since it would be paying for a further expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.

Politico: 'Dental Therapists' Spark Debate

Some state lawmakers think they've found the solution to the nation's severe dental care access problem, but so far, only two states are using the touted "dental therapists" — and dentists aren’t thrilled about the idea.

Concord (N.H.) Monitor: Proposal to Expand Hygienists' Role Met With Opposition From Dental Society

One year after New Hampshire lawmakers passed a bill expanding the role of some dental hygienists, another bill proposes further reform of the state’s oral health system.

Honolulu Star-Advertiser: Prior Exam Rule Hinders Prevention of Child Tooth Decay

We can improve oral health for Hawaii's children. And we should — because the numbers tell a disturbing story.

Sun Journal: Caroline Zimmerman: Oral Health Access an Issue for Many Mainers

Dr. Michelle Mazur-Kary, president of the Maine Dental Association, wrote in her guest column (Feb. 3) about Maine’s “A” grade from the Pew Center on the States for dental sealants.

Honolulu Civil Beat: Bill to Prevent Dental Decay at Hawaii Schools

And a recent Pew Center report gave the state an F for its efforts to prevent decay by improving access for low-income children to dental sealants — clear plastic coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of molars. Hawaii was one of five states to receive a failing grade.

California Healthline: More Calif. Adults Seek Dental Care at Hospital Emergency Departments

More Californians in recent years have sought dental care at emergency departments because of cuts to Medi-Cal dental benefits or the loss of private dental insurance, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

KING - NBC: Dental Problems a Leading Factor in School Absences

Dental problems are impacting attendance and grades in Pierce County schools (California), prompting county health officials to target the root of the problem.

KBIA Public Radio: Why Missouri Is Falling Short on Children's Dental Health

The Pew Charitable Trust recently released a report or oral health that didn’t speak too highly of Missouri. On an A through F scale, it gave the state a D for its efforts to provide access to dental sealants for high-need kids.

The Patriot-News: Pennsylvania Gets a D for Programs to Prevent Tooth Decay in Children

Pennsylvania has received a D for its efforts to protect low-income children from tooth decay. The grade comes from the Pew Charitable Trusts, a non-profit that identifies problems within the states and promotes solutions.

The Gazette: Iowa Receives 'C' Grade in Dental Health Report

Iowa scores right in the middle in a new report that grades states on preventing tooth decay, according to a new report from the Pew Charitable Trusts.

The Denver Post: More Colorado Kids Need Preventive Dental Care

Colorado, like most states, isn’t doing enough to prevent tooth decay in children, according to a new report from the Pew Charitable Trusts

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: State Among 5 With High Grade on Child Dental Sealants

Wisconsin is among the five states in the country with the most extensive programs to place dental sealants - plastic coatings applied to the chewing surface of molars to prevent tooth decay - in children, according to a report from the Pew Charitable Trusts.

The Times-Picayune: Report Gives Louisiana a 'D' for Quality of Dental Care for Poor Kids

Louisiana got poor marks for the availability of programs to provide crucial dental care to low-income children, according to a new report by the Pew Charitable Trusts.

WLRN Public Radio: Amazing Sealants Defeat Childhood Tooth Decay But Does Florida Care? Study Says 'No'

Florida is missing a cheap and easy bet for improving the dental health of its children, according to a new survey from the Pew Charitable Trusts

WFSU Public Radio: Poor Access to Kids' Dental Care Costing Fla. Taxpayers

Florida, along with most U.S. states, is failing to prevent tooth decay in children in a key way, according to a report the nonprofit Pew Charitable Trusts released on Tuesday.

Dr. Biscupid: Most U.S. States Fall Short With Dental Sealant Programs

A new report released today by the Pew Center on the States found that 40% of all U.S. states earned either a D or F grade when it comes to providing children with dental sealants, missing a key opportunity to help prevent caries and reduce Medicaid and other health-related costs.

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: Kansas

How well is Kansas protecting kids from tooth decay?

Falling Short

Pew’s 50-state report finds that most states are not doing enough to use a proven strategy for preventing tooth decay, unnecessarily driving up health care costs for families and taxpayers.

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: Alabama

How well is Alabama protecting kids from tooth decay?

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: Alaska

How well is Alaska protecting kids from tooth decay?

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: Arkansas

How well is Arkansas protecting kids from tooth decay?

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: Arizona

How well is Arizona protecting kids from tooth decay?

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: California

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Falling Short on Dental Sealants: Colorado

How well is Colorado protecting kids from tooth decay?

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: Connecticut

How well is Connecticut protecting kids from tooth decay?

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: Delaware

How well is Delaware protecting kids from tooth decay?

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: District of Columbia

How well is Washington, D.C., protecting kids from tooth decay?

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: Florida

How well is Florida protecting kids from tooth decay?

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: Georgia

How well is Georgia protecting kids from tooth decay?

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: Hawaii

How well is Hawaii protecting kids from tooth decay?

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: Idaho

How well is Idaho protecting kids from tooth decay?

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: Iowa

How well is Iowa protecting kids from tooth decay?

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: Illinois

How well is Illinois protecting kids from tooth decay?

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: Indiana

How well is Indiana protecting kids from tooth decay?

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: Kentucky

How well is Kentucky protecting kids from tooth decay?

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: Louisiana

How well is Louisiana protecting kids from tooth decay?

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: Maine

How well is Maine protecting kids from tooth decay?

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: Massachusetts

How well is Masschusetts protecting kids from tooth decay?

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: Maryland

How well is Maryland protecting kids from tooth decay?

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: Michigan

How well is Michigan protecting kids from tooth decay?

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: Minnesota

How well is Minnesota protecting kids from tooth decay?

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: Mississippi

How well is Mississippi protecting kids from tooth decay?

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: Missouri

How well is Missouri protecting kids from tooth decay?

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: Montana

How well is Montana protecting kids from tooth decay?

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: Nebraska

How well is Nebraska protecting kids from tooth decay?