Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Cavity Prevention: A Huge Return On A Small Investment

Here’s an interesting fact: according to the CDC, the most common chronic disease in children ages 5 – 17 is tooth decay! Why hasn’t a modern, technologically advanced country such as ours combat this age-old problem? In fact, we have! The better question is why don’t parents take advantage of a readily available procedure known as SEALANTS?

My dental training was in the most economically diverse community in the world, New York City. Like all dental schools in 1985, children’s clinical approach was simple, aggressive prevention. Sealants and fluoride-containing vitamins were the thrust then. Although Fluoride is one of the most studied elements on the planet and subject to much debate, the Sealant procedure is today’s greatest tool used to combat tooth decay in children.

Here are the facts: food that has not been brushed, rinsed, or flossed away turns into acid. The acid and bacteria along with the remaining food and saliva will form plaque, a sticky substance that will start the process of tooth decay. It takes only 20 minutes for plaque to develop after your food is chewed. Acids in the plaque dissolve your teeth's protective coating of enamel, creating holes—or cavities. A Sealant application to the tooth surface will protect the cracks and craters of the biting surface thus providing a physical and chemical barrier from the food acids that eat away at the most vulnerable part of the tooth. The cost? Minimal. Almost laughable when you consider the cost of fillings, caps, crowns as well as other invasive procedures needed to fix cavities. A 20 minute visit for a typical sealant session will cost between $15 – $60, (Pedodontist/child dental specialist may charge more). Unfortunately, many families don’t have dental insurance, and those who do, sadly learn that their policy doesn’t cover the sealant procedure. 96% of all dentists offer it, 66% of the dental insurance companies don’t cover sealants, 40% of parents who are offered the procedure turn it down because they would be paying out-of-pocket. A National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey revealed only 30% of children ages 6 to 11 had dental sealants. It also found only 38% of children 12 to 19 had them. These are disturbing statistics for a disease so preventable.

Bridging the gap of value and cavity reduction is a personal one. As a dental clinician, the facts are clear. We need to educate the value and role of the sealant to parents and children. Investing at a child’s young age greatly reduces the need for active dental treatment later in their lives. As parents, this is our goal, to provide them with all the advantages we available today.

Michael J. Gulotta, DDS - Family Dentistry
1150 Portion Road
Holtsville, NY 11742
631-696-3820