SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Mary Hayashi (D–Hayward) told members today at the California Dental Association’s Annual Legislative Conference that we can no longer afford to ignore the number one chronic health crisis for children in California, tooth decay.  She stressed the importance of passing AB 834, a bill she authored, which will provide additional preventative services for children participating in the California Dental Disease Prevention Program (CDDPP).

“More children suffer from chronic tooth decay and its associated health risks than any other disease including obesity and asthma,” stated Hayashi.  “This disease is completely preventable with proper oral health education and more importantly dental sealants.  Although dental sealants have been around since the 1970s, fewer than 20% of the population have them.  According to a study conducted by the Alameda County Public Health Department, only 21% of third graders from low-income schools had protective sealants and 44% of all third graders from low-income schools were experiencing untreated tooth decay.”   

Left untreated, tooth decay can lead to pain, nutritional problems, tooth loss, sleep deprivation, slower physical and social development.  It is an infectious disease that can also abscess, spread to the brain and cause death.  According to the 2003 Health Interview Survey it is estimated that nearly 500,000 children in California missed school in 2003 due to dental problems.

“Tooth decay is more than a tooth ache, it’s a taxpayer headache.  By not preventing tooth decay, the cost of treating dental disease in California is nearly $12 billion each year,” said Hayashi.  “It is estimated that the cost of treating just a few kids with serious dental problems could pay for a prevention program for an entire school.  The question becomes, do taxpayers pay a little now or pay dearly later?”

AB 834 will focus on the use of the most effective preventative services.  It would authorize the Department of Health Services to approve CDDPP contracts with preference to programs which access additional resources, including federal Medicaid and SCHIP dollars, to expand the number of children served.  The CDDPP currently receives $3.3 million from the general fund and serves more than 300,000 California preschool and elementary school children annually.  Estimates suggest that a million children in California are eligible and waiting for CDDPP services. 

 “This is just one step toward promoting the health of children in California, but it is one that will have a long-lasting impact on individuals and families,” concluded Hayashi.   “Oral health is a core part of our overall health, and it’s not just about having a nice smile.  We all need to understand dental health at that level, and know that we, as adults, have to take the responsibility to end this epidemic of dental disease for our kids.”

The California Dental Association held an Oral Health Awareness Fair on the north lawn of the state capitol today from 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  Children received free dental screenings and were provided toothbrushes and toothpaste for participating.

Hayashi serves the 18th Assembly District, which includes San Leandro, Hayward, Dublin, most of Castro Valley and Pleasanton, and a portion of Oakland, as well as the unincorporated areas of Ashland, Cherryland and San Lorenzo.