Running head: PREVENTION OF DENTAL CAVITIES IN CHILDREN 1

Prevention of Dental Cavities in Children

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PREVENTION OF DENTAL CAVITIES IN CHILDREN 2

Prevention of Dental Cavities in Children

Tooth decay or what is at times referred to as dental cavities serve as one of

the leading chronic conditions among the U.S children. There are various adverse

effects associated with tooth decay with pain and infections serving as some of the

major problems. Once a child suffers from tooth decay, the victim is subjected to

other problems that limit essential practices like eating, speaking, playing as well as

learning (CDC, 2014). There is a need to prevent dental cavities in children through

the effective use of fluoride varnish and fluoride toothpaste because the problem

leads to developmental challenges and unnecessary health care costs.

The primary reasons that the to education should focus on the need to

address the problem of the dental cavity among children are based on the

quantifiable number of victims and the associated costs of treating the disorder.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) should emphasize educating

parents, especially mothers on the need to paint their children with fluoride vanish

right from the instance when the first teeth emerge at around the age of six

months. According to CDC (2014), in modern America, around 23 percent of

children aged from the age of 2 to 11 years have at least one primary tooth

decayed and untreated tooth with around 20 percent of adolescents suffering from

at least one problem of untreated decay. Discomfort in normal operations due to

the associated pain of tooth decay serves as a disruptive aspect in the development

process of a victim. Children and adolescents undergo critical developmental

stages, which if tampered with by illnesses have adverse effects on the later lives of

the victims.
PREVENTION OF DENTAL CAVITIES IN CHILDREN 3

Other than the challenges associated with pain from a decayed tooth, there

are a variety of health costs incurred in treating the problem. CDC (2014) notes

that in 2009 alone, the total amount spent on dental expenses in the U.S for

children aged from 5 to 17 years was around $20 billion with the amount

translating to 17.7 percent of the overall healthcare cost for this group. With

approximately a quarter of U.S children lacking dental insurance, it serves as a

clear indication of the financial burden the problem has for parents. Even with

instances where children are covered by dental insurance, prevention of the

problem will ensure that such resources are diverted to address other challenging

health concerns.

To prevent the problem of tooth decay among children and adolescents, the

use of fluoride varnish in coating babies’ teeth and brushing daily with fluoride

toothpaste is essential (CDC, 2014). Parents and society, in general, should adopt a

culture where these practices are made a routine to prevent the problem. Parents

serve as the intended audience especially mothers. This emanates from the fact

that they have the responsibility of ensuring the well-being of their children.

In making a well-resonating education to parents, I will rely on fear appeal

theory to change the attitudes, intentions as well as behaviors of the target

audience (Sliwa, 2015). Using a picture where a child is in discomfort due to tooth

decay will help in evoking fear to the parents and also the children to adhere to the

prescribed preventive measures.

PREVENTION OF DENTAL CAVITIES IN CHILDREN 4

References

CDC. (2014, September 12). Use of Dental Care and Effective Preventive Services

in Preventing Tooth Decay Among U.S. Children and Adolescents — Medical

Expenditure Panel Survey, United States, 2003–2009 and National Health

and Nutrition Examination Survey, United States, 2005–2010. Retrieved

from https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/su6302a9.htm

CDC. (2014, November 10). Children's Oral Health | Division of Oral Health | CDC.

Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/children_adults/child.htm

Sliwa, J. (2015, October 22). Fear-Based Appeals Effective at Changing Attitudes,

Behaviors After All. Retrieved from

http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2015/10/fear-based-appeals.aspx