January, 2007

Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is the most common medical condition in children; it is five times as common as asthma and seven times as common as hay fever. Poor oral health has significant impact on school attendance and performance and is intimately connected to life style and general health. As children reach puberty, their risk for poor oral health increases as their life styles become more independent and they respond to market and peer pressures.
Dental care is a significant cost concern for families whether they have insurance or not. Studies showed in early 2001, that 42.9% of all dental expenditures were paid by dental insurance but it is important to note that out-of-pocket expenses for dental care amounts to about 50% and this effects how people seek dental care.
Common mouth problems such as, tooth decay, bleeding gums, bone loss around the teeth, and odor malador are caused by mouth bacteria and behaviors that help specific germs harm the teeth, soft tissue and bone. Increasingly studies show that oral health to be a factor in the risk of conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, pneumonia, and brittle bone disease in women. Many common medications (blood pressure, moods, seizure) have side effects that can harm oral heath.
The Surgeon General reports that 78% of all persons by the age of 17 have had at least one cavity or filling and 7% have lost at least one permanent tooth. A cavity occurs when a tooth decays or breaks down. It is essentially a hole in the tooth that can grow bigger and deeper over time. It is usually the cause of poor oral hygiene. A bacterium in the mouth feeds off sugar and creates an acid that, when mixed with plaque, clings to the teeth. It is the acid eating away the enamel and over time will create a cavity.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children might be at greater risk if eat a lot of sugary foods such as raisins, candy, fruit juices, soda. If they were born prematurely, have ongoing special health care needs, or do not visit the dentist regularly.
The ADA states that by age six, children should be able to brush their teeth twice a day often requiring supervision until the age of ten. Snacking on holiday treats during school should be limited, because according to the ADA, after eating sugars, cavity-causing acid continues to attack the teeth for 20 minutes or longer. Although cavities are treatable, children should understand that it is much better altogether to avoid having them.

Welcome back! Hope everyone had a rested vacation and got a new toothbrush in their stocking!
Upcoming screenings: Scoliosis screenings in grades 6,7, and 8 if not noted on physical exam, rescreening of grade 1 for vision.

Pre-K required immunizations:

Completed series of 3 Hepatitis B

4 Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DPT/DTaP)

4 Pneumococcal Conjugate

3 Polio

4 Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (HIB)

1 Measles, Mumps, Rubella

Physical Examination if new to Pre-K

K requires the following immunizations and current physical:

Completed series of 3 Hepatitis B

5 Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTP/DTaP)

4 Polio

4 HIB

2 Measles, Mumps, Rubella

Vision screening

Lead screening

Physical Examination

Students entering grades 1-6: Same requirements for K except lead and vision screening.

Students entering grade 6 and who are interested in playing sports are required to submit a current physical examination.

7 th Grade requires the following:

Completed series of 3 Hepatitis B

5 DTP/DTaP

4 Polio

2 Measles, Mumps, Rubella

Tetanus Booster

Scoliosis screening

Physical Examination

8 th grade students who are new to Jamestown School must follow the 7 th grade requirements.

The appropriate form must be mailed to the School Nurse-Teacher before the first day of school.