Hawaii's Department of Health said it released a new report that concluded elementary school children in the state have the highest rates of caries in the U.S.
The report is based on data collected from more than 3,000 third-grade students in 67 public elementary schools during the 2014-2015 school year, according to a press release from the agency.
The survey's key findings include the following:
- More than seven out of 10 third graders (71%) are affected by dental caries, higher than the U.S. average of 52%.
- About 7% of third-grade children need urgent dental care because of infection or pain.
- Children from low-income families have a disproportionate amount of caries.
- Low-income children have a greater need for urgent dental care, compared with their higher-income peers (12% versus 2%, respectively).
- Thirty percent of Micronesian and 23% of other Pacific Island children have dental pain or infection, compared with 3% of Caucasian and 2% of Japanese children.
To address the situation, the Hawaii Dental Service Foundation has provided funding for a school-based dental sealant program for students; funding to the Women, Infants, and Children program to provide fluoride varnishes for young children; and educational materials for Head Start early education programs, the health department said.
