Florida Rates F In Child Dental Care

Disadvantaged Youth Not Provided Adequate Dental Care In Florida

LABELLE, FL. -- A recent study by the Pew Center On The States says Florida is one of nine states graded lowest in providing dental care to the disadvantaged.

In grading states on providing effective dental care for disadvantaged children, six states received an A because they implement at least six of eight policy approaches to ensure dental health and access to care for this population. Florida is one of nine states that received a grade of F because it implements only one or two of these policies.

An estimated 17 million low-income children in America go without dental care each year, representing one out of every five children between the ages of 1 and 18. Lack of dental care can cause problems with early growth and development, school readiness and performance, and overall health.

Untreated dental conditions among children also impose economic and health costs. Between 2009 and 2018, annual spending for dental services in the United States is expected to increase 58%, from $101.9 billion to $161.4 billion. Approximately one-third of the money will go to dental services for children.

http://www.pewcenteronthestates.org/uploadedFiles/Cost_of_Delay_web.pdf