We are in the midst of a tooth decay epidemic across the U.S. The implications of that epidemic to children’s health throughout their lives are bad enough that the federal government needs to get involved to secure the future health of America’s children.
Tooth decay is the most common chronic condition our children face; five times more common than asthma, seven times more common than hay fever in five-to-17-year olds. Poor dental health disproportionately hits poor children, and leads to a lifetime of health problems that cost many billions to address.