Data

Dental disease is the number one chronic disease of children in America, yet, it is a preventable disease.
Dental caries is the most common chronic childhood disease. 5 times as common as asthma; 7 times as common as hay fever.
80% of the disease is in 20% of the population. It is largely a disease of poverty.
Dental disease affects children’s ability to eat properly, grow, attend school and learn.

Dental disease in adults is linked with chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, and poor general health.

18% of 2-4 year olds have dental caries; 16% have untreated decay.
45.7% of kindergarteners have dental caries, including 26.9% with untreated decay.
57.2% of third graders have dental caries, including 26.1% with untreated decay.
By age 17, 78% of children have had at least one cavity; 7% have lost a permanent tooth to dental decay.
36% of adults have had at least one permanent tooth extracted due to decay or periodontal disease. This percentage increases when adults have concurrent chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
15% of seniors 65+ have had all their teeth extracted