Report: Nev. kids lack access to dental care

The results of a recent health survey of children entering kindergarten in Nevada's school districts indicate that about 16% of kindergartners are not covered by health insurance and 29% have not received routine dental care in the past year, according to a report by the Nevada Institute for Children's Research and Policy at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. In addition, 44% have already had a cavity.

"Children without access to regular dental care are more likely to experience dental problems, such as dental cavities and tooth abscesses. These children also miss more days of school than children without dental problems," the report authors wrote. "Research also indicates that uninsured children are much more likely to have unmet dental needs."

In the fall of 2010, the institute administered the 27-question survey to the state's 17 school districts to gather information about insurance status, routine care, immunizations, access to care, dental care, mental health, weight, and healthy behaviors. The survey had an overall response rate of 43.6%, with a total of 10,487 surveys received from parents.

The goal of the survey is to help identify trends in children's health at a young age to guide health policy and generate solutions at the school level. This is the third year the institute has conducted the survey.