Elmo and Abby Cadabby Teach Kids that Oral Health Counts

From the AAPD:

Dental caries (tooth decay) is one of the most common health problems impacting young children’s primary teeth.[1] In fact, nearly 40-to-50 percent of children will be affected by tooth decay by age five [2] and according to the latest Surgeon General’s report, Oral Health in America, more than 51 million school hours are lost each year to dental-related conditions.[3] In response to these facts, Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street, in partnership with Sam’s Club Giving Program and MetLife Foundation, has developed Healthy Teeth, Healthy Me, a bilingual (English/Spanish), multimedia outreach initiative motivating children 2 to 5 years of age, their parents, and caregivers to care for children’s dental health. The 350,000 free outreach kits are being distributed nationwide and are also available at www.sesamestreet.org/teeth. Healthy Teeth, Healthy Me features brand new songs, animated segments and celebrity guests Bruno Mars, David Hyde Pierce, Nicole Kidman, Amy Ryan, Wendy Williams, Jay Sean, Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber.

Please visit the website below to read the full article provided by AAPD.

Article retrieved from: http://www.aapd.org/hottopics/news.asp?NEWS_ID=1439
Picture retrieved from: http://www.sesamestreet.org/parents/topicsandactivities/toolkits/teeth

MSNBC on Cavities

Last night MSNBC spoke of how cavities are on the rise. Healthy choices in our daily lives play a key role in cavity prevention. Sugary drinks & snacks may be more convenient, however, they cause many dental problems for children and it starts at a very young age. Sedation dentistry is being used due to the extensive amount of problems that children incur. Please check out the link below.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/46651756#46651756

Dickson Academy Scavenger Hunt

Group 2

Dickson Academy Scavenger Hunt

Dickson Academy visited our office today for their academic scavenger hunt.



Group 1

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

Parental WARNING for Children's Spinbrush

This article was sent to us through AAPD E-News letter:

AAPD E- News provides the latest information about AAPD's continuing education, new products/services and other news related to the AAPD and Healthy Smiles, Healthy Children: The Foundation of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry activities.

FDA Warns Spinbrushes Are Potential Choking Hazard
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning to parents, caregivers, consumers, and dental care professionals about reports of serious injuries and potential hazards associated with the use of all models of the Spinbrush -- specifically the Arm & Hammer or Crest Spinbrush. Reports warned that while turned on, the brush head has either "popped off" or broken off in the user's mouth or near the face, causing cuts to the mouth and gums, chipped or broken teeth, swallowing and choking on the broken pieces, and injuries to the face and eyes.

The manufacturers of the Spinbrush have added a safety warning to the packaging and taken other steps to lessen the risk since the FDA began investigating complaints about the toothbrushes last year, a news release stated.

Advice to Parents, Caregivers and Consumers
• Before using the Spinbrush, inspect it for any damage or loose brush bristles. If you find any, do not use the brush. Report it to Church & Dwight, which can be reached toll-free at (800) 352-3384 or (800) 561-0752.
• Make sure the brush head is connected tightly to the brush handle, and test the brush outside of your mouth before using. If the connection feels loose or the brush head easily detaches from the handle, do not use the brush. Report it to Church & Dwight.
• Use care not to bite down on the brush head while brushing.
• To prevent injuries, always supervise children and adults who may need assistance when using the Spinbrush.
• Follow the instructions and recommended replacement guidelines included with the Spinbrush.
• Report injuries or problems with the Spinbrush to MedWatch-FDA's Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program -- either online (http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch), by regular mail, by fax or by phone.
• Regular Mail: Use postage-paid, pre-addressed FDA form 3500 (http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch)
• Fax: (800) FDA-0178
• Phone: (800) 332-1088
For more information on the risks and how to avoid them, read the FDA Consumer Fact Sheet at: http://www.fda.gov/downloads/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/UCM291863.pdf

Pediactric Dentistry on the Tundra

The following information is from an article out of the Pediatic Dentistry Today magazine. It is a continuation from a previous blog reguarding the importance of health and diet in New Zealand. This article focuses on children in Alaska. Prior to the mid 20th Century, Alaskan Natives had very low rates of dental decay due to the high protein diet and low fermentable carbohydrates. However, since the mid 20th century, more refined sugar and carbohydrates have been introduced into the communities. The following issues have contributed to high levels of untreated dental caries: dietary changes, lack of access to fluoridated public water, and limited access to dental providers. In these two instances, with Alaska & New Zealand, money is not the most important issue with children's dental health needs. In New Zealand, they had proper funding for children to have dental expenses taken care of. In Alaska, they have formed a health plan to specifically support prevention in order to improve the oral health of all Alaskans. The main issue is proper education, diet, and prevention precautions. Incorporating healthier drink and snack choices plays a large role in prevention. If schools and parents could adopt policies and restrictions of sodas and sugared beverages and foods, this would help children diminish dental issues. Healthy lifestyle choices is a large portion of what it takes to keep healthy teeth and gums for a lifetime.


PDT March 2011 Volume XLVII, Number 2