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exponentially 3. Planning, as a way to address the problem of oral diseases and to enhance the dental health of a given population. Ideally, a state oral health plan is based on appropriate findings at the state and local levels, and uses proven interventions. Other states have adopted similar best practices for their oral health programs. The Georgia Department of Public Health’s Oral Health Section follows a multistep approach to incorporating prevention into its programs. 1. Identify disparities and the populations vulnerable to oral diseases through increased surveillance and data collection efforts. 2. Promote the importance of oral health to overall wellness through educating health care providers and the general public. 3. Seek to improve state policies that influence oral health. 4. Increase cooperation among community programs and state agencies to improve oral health. 5. Support improved access to oral health care for the underserved. While this list of best practices reflects a desire to extend the benefits of oral disease prevention to more citizens, many states, including Georgia, face the reality of dwindling budgets that have made it difficult for oral health programs to thrive. *Based on preliminary results of a federal government survey, this statistic is consistent with the findings of prior government research. Copyright ©2013 American Dental Association 8 Action for Dental Health: Bringing Disease Prevention into Communities Educating Parents To fight the growing prevalence of early childhood caries (cavities), oral health assessments should be made in children by age one. “We need to push the 12-month exam,” said Jane Grover, D.D.S., former dental director for the Center for Family Health, a federally qualified health center (FQHC) in Jackson, Michigan, who now serves as staff director for the ADA Council on Access, Prevention and Interprofessional Relations. “It’s simply a great opportunity to teach parents about what they can do for their children in order to prevent that 4 a.m. sobbing toothache. We always hear that education is key. Well, where’s the best place for parents to get that oral health education? From the dentist.” Dr. Dan Watt, dental director of the Terry Reilly Health Centers in Idaho, also emphasizes dental health education. His patient base consists largely of lower-income people who don’t qualify for Medicaid but who find it difficult to pay for dental care. He stresses the need to counter the erroneous idea that susceptibility to dental decay is solely a question of genetics. “The thing that patients need to understand is that their problem isn’t genetic or ‘soft teeth,’ it’s exposure to dental bacteria,” Dr. Watt said. The bacteria that cause cavities can be transmitted from parents soon after children’s first teeth erupt. “We pick it up from our parents, our siblings, the kids in the day care center.” “I tell patients to think of a lawn,” he said. “If you want to have a nice lawn, but the dominant plants in your lawn are weeds, you’ll have to do more than just mow, because the weeds will come back. You need weed killers and fertilizers. It’s the same type of thing in the mouth. People at high risk for oral disease have to do more than just brush and floss.” Alice Horowitz, Ph.D., professor at the University of Maryland’s School of Public Health, agrees about the effectiveness of educating patients and their caregivers. “We’re focusing on who holds the drill,” she said, referring to the current debate over proposed workforce models. “What we need to do is focus on prevention. Prevention is key. Education is key. There are people who don’t know why fluoride is good, who don’t know what a sealant is.” Comprehensive oral health education also should include the role of nutrition. Eating patterns and food choices play an important role in preventing, or promoting, tooth decay. Heavy sugar consumption has long been associated with tooth decay. The bacteria in the mouth feed off these sugars, releasing acids that can damage the tooth’s surface. Even foods generally considered to be healthy Eating patterns and food choices play an important role in preventing, or promoting, tooth decay. Heavy sugar consumption has long been associated with tooth decay. A Statement from the American Dental Association 9 Action for Dental Health: Bringing Disease Prevention into Communities The Lifecycle of the Tooth Teeth have a lifecycle that starts before birth. Age is one of the factors dentists consider in evaluating the dental needs of each patient. Development in Utero Teeth begin to form with the jaws of developing fetuses. Pregnant women should maintain their oral hygiene because their healthy mouths have a direct impact on the oral health of their babies. Primary (Baby) Teeth Children get their first tooth at around 6 months of age. It is important to clean these teeth regularly,