Pew’s Children’s Dental Campaign promotes cost-effective policies to expand access to dental care and ensure millions more children receive the basic care they need to grow, learn, and lead healthy lives.
Why Dental Care Matters
Dental care is the greatest unmet need among children. In 2009, more than 16 million low-income children went without care. Tooth decay affects nearly 60 percent of kids. If untreated, the consequences can be painful and disruptive to learning and daily activities. In extreme cases, untreated decay can lead to serious, potentially life-threatening infections.
The Dental Care Policies We Promote
Our research and advocacy efforts focus on four efficient, cost-effective strategies:
- Expanding the number of professionals who can provide high-quality dental care to low-income children;
- Ensuring that Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program work better for kids and for providers so that insurance coverage translates into real care;
- Expanding access to fluoridated water; and
- Increasing sealant programs for kids who need them most.
How We Conduct Our Work
We work with lawmakers; government officials; dental providers; national, state, and local organizations; researchers; and the private sector, targeting states in which policy changes can dramatically improve children’s lives. For example, Pew is working in several states to explore the creation of new types of dental providers—similar to nurse practitioners in the medical field—to work in collaboration with dentists and expand care for underserved kids.
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The LATEST from the Project
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- Opinion
- Children's Dental Campaign
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. more
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- Media Coverage
- Children's Dental Campaign
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.
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- Media Coverage
- Children's Dental Campaign
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.
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- Opinion
- Children's Dental Campaign
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.
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- Media Coverage
- Children's Dental Campaign
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. more
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- Media Coverage
- Children's Dental Campaign
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. more
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- Media Coverage
- Children's Dental Campaign
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.
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- Media Coverage
- Children's Dental Campaign
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.
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- Media Coverage
- Children's Dental Campaign
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. more
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- Media Coverage
- Children's Dental Campaign
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. more
