1 on 3 Florida, the third graders have untreated niches – how parents can protect their children’s teeth

“He hides his smile in every school photo,” Mother Jayden told me, raising a photo of her 6-year-old son.

For the first time I met Jayden – not his real name – as a patient in the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. Jayden had observable niches on the front teeth – obscure spots, which became the target of teasing and intimidation by classmates. The pain became so mighty that he began to lack school. His family, living in the rural part of the northern Florida, spent months trying to find a dentist who accepted Medicaid.

In the meantime, Jayden stopped smiling.

As Dental Professional for Public Health Working in environmental dental conditions, I saw first hand how children in the whole state encounter significant barriers to achieving good oral health. Despite the fact that it can be prevented to a immense extent, tooth decay remains The most common chronic disease among children in the USAAnd Florida is no exception.

Pediatric Dental Health in Florida

Untreated dental problems can lead Pain, infection, difficulty with eating or sleepand even influence the child The ability to concentrate and learn. The needy health of the mouth was also associated wider health problems such as heart disease.

According to the latest data available in the Health Department in Florida, Almost 1 in 3, the third graders in the Sun state had uninterested tooth decay – That is, niches – in school years in 2021–2022. It’s almost double national average 17% of children At the age of 6-9 with the tooth decay and emphasizes the intensification of the problem in Florida.

Only 37% of the third graders in Florida had dental seals. These slim coatings applied to the surfaces of molar chewing are It has been proven that it prevents up to 80% of the niches. Nationwide, 51.4% of children have this profitable treatment.

The latest data available from the 2017-2018 school year shows that 24% of children aged 3-6 in the HEAD START program in Florida, which provides free health and education for low-income families with teenage children, he had uninterrupted humus. For comparison, American Center for Disease Control and Prevention found that 11% of American children aged 2-5 had an unknown distribution.

These numbers are represented by children such as Jayden, whose pain and omitted school days can be prevented.

Report 2023 showed that children in Florida are more and more often Visiting an ambulance for unsweetetical dental conditions. In addition to being high-priced and stressful for families, these visits generally only provide short-lived relief. Emergency departments are simply not prepared to offer dental care, which solves the main problem.

Sliding the cracks

Florida is among the worst states in the US in terms of access to dental care, in which over 5.9 million inhabitants live Dental care care worker areas of absence. In fact, 65 of 67 poviats in Florida are in the face of deficiencies of dental specialistsWith some areas reporting only 6.6 dentists per 100,000 people – much below National average 60.4.

This lack of access to care is intensified by restrictions on poverty and insurance.

Above 2 million children in Florida are saved to MedicaidBut Only 18% of dentists in Florida – in total about 2,500 – accept it. And even families with private insurance often have high costs out of their own pocket, Making the necessary dental care For some. Delaying routine dental visits can worsen minor problems over time ultimately requires more complex and expensive treatment.

As a result Florida takes 43th place of 50 states in the percentage of children receiving dental care last year.

The problem is also a lack of awareness. Studies show this Many parents are unaware Their children should see the dentist for their first birthday anyway The teeth for babies have the same as adults’ teeth.

Prevention works

Historically, social water fluoridation was one of the most effective public health strategies to reduce children’s tooth decay. Although fluoridation is not to be an independent prevention method, many studies have shown that it helps prevent in both kids AND adults. In May 2024, CDC supported Safety of this strategy.

However, the modern law in Florida, signed by Governor Ron Desantis in May 2025 and enter into force on July 1, now prohibits local governments to add fluoride to public drinking water. This makes other preventive treatments even more necessary.

Fluoride varnish, Recommended by pediatric and dental associationsThis is local treatment that should be used every 3-6 months to reduce the risk of caries.

When the child is just the beginning of the niche, Silver fluorine is a non -invasive liquid treatment This can stop it from progress. This is particularly beneficial for teenage children or children with constrained access to care.

These highly effective treatment methods based on evidence are protected and profitable and can be delivered in schools, medical offices and clinics.

Maintaining hearty teeth of children

Here are a few steps that parents can now take to protect their child’s dental health:

• Plan regular dental visits, Starting from age 1. Children should see the dentist for their first birthday or within six months from the first tooth. Then the annual visits assist early when treatment is easier and cheaper.

• For families in areas with a tiny number of dentist suppliers American Association of Pediatric Dentists “Find a Pediatric Dentist”. Some communities also offer care through qualified federal health centers, dental schools or mobile clinics at low or without any costs.

• As soon as their teeth appear, children must brush twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste. Employ a toothpaste smear with rice grain size for children under 3 years of age and the amount of peas at the age of 3-5.

• To brush a humorous and handled routine. Support your child brush until they can do it themselves, usually about 7 or 8 years. Play your favorite song or video to make brushing time pleasant.

• Limit sweet snacks and drinks. Offer water and hearty snacks, such as fruit and vegetables. Avoid that babies fall asleep with bottles of milk or juice and limit sticky, sweet dishes such as candies, fries and cookies.

• Ask the dentist about seal and fluorine varnish. These treatments are particularly significant for children with a higher risk for niches, such as constrained access to dental care, the family history of caries, observable plaque or the habit of recurrent snacks.