The Arkansas Oral Health Coalition, in partnership with Small Bites Pediatric Dentistry in Pine Bluff, announced that Daniel Garrison of Drew County is a winner of the Arkansas Diamond State Smiles Club contest for the 5- to 12-year age range.
Daniel won a bike and helmet. The contest is hosted by the Oral Health Coalition and funding for prizes was provided by the Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation to encourage children to visit a dentist twice a year for preventive oral health care such as checkups and cleanings, according to a news release.
Healthy teeth are important not just for smiles, but a child’s overall health. Tooth problems such as decay (cavities) can harm a child’s self-esteem and cause pain that can contribute to missed school and impact learning. Poor oral health in childhood can also have lifelong implications, for example, children who have a history of tooth decay have a greater risk of developing heart problems in adulthood, according to the release.
Data from the National Survey of Children’s Health show that one in four Arkansas children did not visit a dentist for preventive care in 2020-2021. In addition, according to the 2023 3rd Grade Basic Screening Survey, nearly 60% of Arkansas children had decay experience, while an estimated 18% had untreated decay, according to the release.
Factors that contribute to these oral health indicators include a high number of dental care “deserts,” high rates of uninsured or under-insured populations, high consumption of sugary foods and lack of daily toothbrushing.
Twice-daily toothbrushing, along with twice-yearly visits to the dentist for preventive care such as checkups and cleanings, can reduce or prevent many oral health problems that children may experience.
The Diamond State Smiles Club contest will continue until February. To learn more about the club, or to enter, visit https://www.arohc.com/dssc.