NAPERVILLE — Many Illinois children aren’t getting the oral health care they need to prevent and treat cavities, according to the Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation.
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. While tooth decay is one of the most common chronic diseases among children, it is largely preventable. Statistics show Illinois children of color and those from low-income families are more likely to suffer from cavities, less likely to have dental sealants to protect against cavities and have greater unmet oral health needs.
“The inequity in Illinois children’s access to good oral health care continues to be a challenge,” said Lora Vitek, executive director for Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation, whose mission is to improve the overall health and well-being of Illinoisans, and especially children, through education and access to quality health care. “More than half of children in some racial and ethnic groups are suffering from cavities, and a majority of them aren’t getting sealants to protect them from tooth decay.”
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