CDHP's Edelstein Tells Congress to Back Holistic Approach to Dental Care

In recent testimony before the U.S. House Government Reform and Oversight Domestic Policy Subcommittee, Children's Dental Health Project (CDHP) Chairman Burt Edelstein advocated for continued work by Congress and the federal agencies to eradicate the "scourge" of childhood tooth decay.

"[We] can work together...by identifying those at greatest risk early in their lives, providing families with the tools to manage that risk, ensuring ready access for all children to comprehensive prevention-oriented dental care, and allocating our resources where the needs are greatest."

CDHP has been working to strengthen dental care for children in the U.S. since 1997. Click here to view Dr. Edelstein's full testimony.

GAO Finds Dental Care Improvement in States, But Barriers Remain

The GAO recently issued a report that examined how the states track the effectiveness of Medicaid dental care for children. The report recommends that CMS develop a plan to review dental services in states with low utilization rates and ensure that states share best practices nationwide.

The report also contained interesting data on children's dental care, including:

• CMS reports that dental utilization rates have improved since 2000 from a national average of 27 percent to 35 percent in 2007.

• Utilization rates remain low: only 1 state in 2007 reported a dental utilization rate among Medicaid kids above 50 percent.

• 12 states reported utilization rates below 30 percent.

• Fewer than half of all states reported undertaking initiatives to improve children's access to dental care.

• Nearly all states reported that the barriers contributing to low use of dental services in 2000 by Medicaid beneficiaries still exist today.

Clearly, more work needs to be done to improve children's dental care. The network of Small Smiles dental centers will continue to work with states and communities to increase access to quality dental care for low-income children.

Dentistry IQ: Recession affects dental care for youth from low-income families

In a new article featured in Dentistry IQ titled "Recession affects dental care for youth from low-income families", Dr. Steve Adair discusses the results of a recent survey which demonstrate that the recession is having a significant impact on dental care for many kids across the country.

The article states:

The national online poll surveyed 210 parents of young children in households with annual incomes of $35,000 or less. It revealed that one in five (20%) take their children to the dentist less than once a year, well below the American Dental Association’s recommendation of two annual check-ups. About 16% said their children are not insured, and more than 40% said their family receives government health assistance from programs, such as Medicaid and CHIP. Approximately 18% said they have trouble locating a dentist who will treat their children, a finding that reflects a national problem, Dr. Adair said.

“The numbers in the survey are not surprising given the overall challenge the nation faces with regard to dental care for low-income children,” [Dr. Adair] said. “The information reinforces what many of us suspected about the impact of the economy.

Adair goes on to say, "Through events such as health fairs and free dental screenings at schools and day care centers, Small Smiles helps spread the message about the need for establishing an oral health routine to their community,” he continued. “As a profession, we can do a better job educating parents and children of all socioeconomic levels about the importance of good oral health and their options for receiving the dental care that they need.”

To read the Dentistry IQ article, please click here.

To read more about the survey conducted, please click here.

Survey: Recession Endangering Dental Health of American Children

A recent survey of low-income parents has found that financial stress caused by the economic recession is forcing many families to choose between basic necessities such as food, transportation and housing, and routine dental care for their children – exacerbating an epidemic of poor dental health among children from underserved communities.

“There is an overwhelming need for dental care for economically-disadvantaged children across the country,” said Dr. Steven Adair, a faculty member of the Medical College of Georgia.

Small Smiles of Greenville Sponsors Head Start Golf Tournament

On June 20th, Small Smiles of Greenville, SC sponsored and participated in SHARE's 2nd Annual Golf Tournament.

SHARE, the Sunbelt Human Advancement Resources, Inc., is a private non-profit organization that provides a wide range of services to low and moderate-income residents in Anderson, Greenville, Oconee and Pickens counties. SHARE was chartered in 1966 and is headquartered in Greenville, SC. SHARE strives to help low-income individuals, families, and neighborhoods become self-sufficient.

Small Smiles of Greenville partners with SHARE to provide dental services to 90% of the pre-school children who SHARE assists.

In addition to sponsoring the tournament, teams from Small Smiles of Greenville also won 2nd and 3rd place!

Congratulations to the teams and to the dentists and staff in Greenville who are working with SHARE to teach children the importance of a dental routine at an early age.

Dr. Steve Adair Addresses Soda Mouth Crisis in USA Today Letter to the Editor

In a Letter to the Editor that appeared in USA Today on June 18, Dr. Steve Adair highlights the problems associated with soda consumption by children. Dr. Adair's letter, written in response to an article on a potential soda tax which is being considered by Congress and the Administration to help pay for health care reform, states:

"USA TODAY's coverage of a potential soda tax highlights the link between soda consumption and obesity, but there is another soda-driven health problem that is just as prevalent: tooth decay among children ("Pour on taxes, pour on change?," Life, Monday).

Tooth decay affects five times more children than asthma and is the most common chronic childhood disease; 80% of tooth decay among American kids is found in just 25% of all children, a majority of whom come from low-income families. Additionally, children with untreated tooth decay are more likely to have chronic pain and problems eating and sleeping.

This epidemic is driven in part by sugared soda consumption and other unhealthy habits children learn at home, but more needs to be done in communities as well. Nationwide, only about 30% of low-income children receive adequate dental care.

Whether a tax would reduce soda consumption is debatable, but what is certain is that parents and children need to be aware of the risks. Through education and expanded care access, we can help ensure that our nation's children grow up with healthy smiles."

To read the letter on USA Today's website, please click here.

Small Smiles of Roanoke Helps Children Learn to Read

Small Smiles of Roanoke is pleased to be partnering with Smart Beginnings of Roanoke and the United Way to help children in the area learn to read.

Smart Beginnings works with you children to prepare them to enter the classroom. The United Way is also participating in the program has dontated books to help encourage children to read at home.

Small Smiles of Roanoke is pleased to be distributing books from the program to their patients. Office Manager Mandy Dilley reports, "The children are excited to get a book of their own that they can take home."

Acid Reflux in Children Linked to Dental Health

Dentists such as those at Small Smiles dental centers and other caregivers who regularly treat children are aware that a variety of factors can impact a child's dental health. It is also important for parents to be familiar with health issues that could impact their children.

News today from the University of California says that children who have symptoms of chronic acid reflux are significantly more likely to have dental erosions than those without reflux symptoms, according to a new study.

The study, which is the first to examine the relationship between acid reflux and dental health in pediatric patients, was presented today, May 4, 2009, at the Pediatric Academic Societies annual meeting in Baltimore, Md.

The research is also among the first to find a conclusive link between chronic acid reflux and dental erosions in any age group, as previous studies have produced inconsistent results, according to Melvin Heyman, MD, chief of pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition at UC San Francisco's Children’s Hospital and the study’s senior author.

“These findings demonstrate that we really need to start looking for dental erosions in pediatric patients with chronic acid reflux and integrate proper dental care into their treatment regimens,” Heyman said.


Small Smiles dental clinics recommend that parents talk to their child's dentist about a variety of health issues to help safeguard lifelong dental health.

Small Smiles of Holyoke Participates in Healthy Kids Day

Earlier this month, Small Smiles of Holyoke participated in the Healthy Kids Day at the Greater Holyoke YMCA.

The "Put Play In Your Day" event featured games and activities for children and their families. The event also featured short fitness demonstrations to help children and their parents live more active lifestyles.

Small Smiles of Holyoke was proud to be included in the event. Having a healthy smile plays an important role in a child's overall health. At the event, Small Smiles caregivers demonstrated the sugar content of popular beverages and explained how these beverages can have a negative impact on dental health.

Small Smiles Dental Center is committed to keeping the children of Holyoke healthy. To read more about the event, please click here.

Layoffs, High Costs Make Many Put Off Dental Care

The Ventura County Star recently published an article titled "Layoffs, high costs make many put off dental care."

The article illustrates the choices that many Americans face in difficult economic times when it comes to health care.

"“I’m grinding my teeth,” said the 66-year-old Ventura woman. “And I need to have a teeth cleaning.”

But she figures the thing “whizzing around” in the engine of her 2004 Toyota Matrix is more pressing, so the teeth are going to have to wait."

While many people are forced to make difficult decisions, putting off dental care should not be one of them, especially for children. At Small Smiles, we work every day to expand access to dental care for those who need it most.

Small Smiles of Youngstown Featured in Office Hours Magazine

Small Smiles of Youngstown is featured in the most recent edition of Office Hours Magazine.

The article discusses the need for dental care among the low income population and the extra steps that caregivers at Small Smiles take to make children and parents comfortable during their visit.

“We are set up specifically to provide care for underprivileged children in our area,” said Dr. Whitney Moore, lead dentist at the Youngstown Small Smiles. “Children and their parents find a comforting and professional environment that is focused on providing the best possible care for children who may be taking their first steps toward life-long dental health.”

To view the article, click here.

Small Smiles of Roanoke Sponsors Easter Bunny at Tanglewood Mall

Beginning on Saturday, March 28, the Easter Bunny will be appearing at Tanglewood Mall in Roanoke, VA.

Small Smiles, in coordination First Baptist Church Roanoke and Tanglewood Mall, will sponsor a “Wake Up with the Bunny” breakfast at 9:30am on Saturday, March 28. Breakfast will be provided by Chick-fil-A for each registered child, ages 10 and under, and a parent or guardian. Following the breakfast, there will be activities for the children including crafts and games, and face-painting.

Space is very limited, so parents should call to register today! To register, please call Customer Service at (540) 989-4388.

The Easter Bunny will be at Tanglewood Mall for visits and pictures with children through Saturday, April 11th.

To read more about the event, please click here.

USA Today: Many Americans Say They Forgo Routine Dental Care

Recently, USA Today ran a story titled, "Many Americans Say They Forgo Routine Dental Care." According to a recent Gallup-Healthways poll, more than 34% of Americans did not visit a dentist last year. Furthermore, the poll indicated that over half of those polled who made less than $2,000 a month skipped regular visits. Nicholas Mosca, Director of the Office of Oral Health with the Mississippi State Department of Health said:

"Studies show there is a widespread ignorance in the state about the importance of good oral health - that without treatment, over time oral health diseases can lead to serious health problems. Only 54% of the state's public water supplies have water fluoridation programs."

During times when there is increased pressure on budgets and families are losing their insurance coverage, Small Smiles dental centers provide a place for parents to get high-quality, cost-sensitive dental care for their families.

Texas Smiles Hosts "Healthy Smile, Happy Child Day"

Texas Smiles, recently hosted "Healthy Smile, Happy Child Day" to commemorate National Children's Dental Health Month.

In this clip, lead dental assistant, Jennifer Gamboa, discusses the free screenings and how families can gain access to the dental care they need.

Tour a Small Smiles Dental Center and Meet Our Dentists

Welcome to Small Smiles!

Join us for a tour of our modern dental center designed with kids in mind. Dr. Toni Adderley, lead dentist at Small Smiles of Washington, D.C., takes you on a tour of our facility, while Dr. Steven Adair, Chief Dental Officer, explains the need for dental care in underserved populations.

To see the video, visit the Small Smiles homepage.

Small Smiles of Denver Offers Free Dental Screenings

Small Smiles Dental Center of Denver recently opened its doors to underserved kids in the Denver-metro area to celebrate "Healthy Smile, Happy Child Day."

In the clip, Dr. Minh Thai discusses how Small Smiles goes the extra mile to help children feel safe and comfortable when visiting the dentist.

For more information on Small Smiles, please click here.

Pueblo Chieftain: Small Smiles Dentist Addresses Need for Dental Health Care for Kids

Last week, the Pueblo Chieftain ran an op/ed from Small Smiles dentist, Dr. Randall Ellis.

The op/ed is aimed at raising the awareness of the importance of dental health during Children's Dental Health Month.

Randall writes, "As a dentist at Small Smiles of Pueblo, I spend my days examining children’s teeth, and what I find is not always the picture of good health. All too often I see children with advanced tooth decay, many of whom are in severe pain. Nationwide, dental caries, or tooth decay, is the single most prevalent childhood disease. In fact, the U.S. Surgeon General has called tooth decay the “silent epidemic.” But there is good news – tooth decay is also highly preventable."

For more information on proper brushing and flossing techniques, please click here.

4 Million New Kids Eligible for Dental Care Under SCHIP

The President this week signed new legislation that will cover an additional 4 million kids under the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), bringing to a total of 11 million the number of uninsured children eligible for coverage.

The measure includes a requirement that states cover dental care under SCHIP, and allows states to provide dental coverage as a supplement to private insurance.

This is a huge step in the right direction for the millions of low-income children who experience a disproportionate share of tooth decay and dental disease in America. Small Smiles dental centers are among the few dental providers that are specifically focused on providing care for SCHIP and Medicaid children. In fact, fewer than 1 in 4 dentists nationwide will treat children on Medicaid.

For a summary of the SCHIP bill that was signed into law this week, see the Kaiser Foundation report about the great news for America's kids.

Small Smiles Caregivers Volunteer for Spartanburg Kids

The Spartanburg Herald-Journal covered the great work of Small Smiles dentist Dr. Lenora Covington, who volunteered alongside other caregivers for a day of free care for underserved kids in Spartanburg:

Dentists volunteer time for 'Give Kids a Smile Day'
Dentists give exams, treat needy

By Dudley Brown
Feb. 7, 2009

Shelby-Ryan Scott left the dentist's chair with a big sticker and a little pink treasure box for storing the baby tooth that she lost.

She smiled as she hugged her mother and made a declaration.

"I ain't scared of no dentist," said Shelby-Ryan, 7.

She was one of 56 children participating in Healthy Smiles of Spartanburg's Give Kids a Smile Day. She left with the attitude that the free dental clinic would like kids to have.

Healthy Smiles treats children and teens who aren't eligible for Medicaid. It has weekly clinics on Fridays and Saturdays at Spartanburg Community College. Give Kids a Smile Day is an opportunity to bring a group of dentists together to volunteer their services. It's a partnership with the Spartanburg County Dental Association and Spartanburg Community College.

Seven dentists volunteered Friday, including Dr. Lenora Covington of Small Smiles, a dental clinic that treats children eligible for Medicaid.

"We're letting the community know we're there for them," Covington said. "There are a lot of children that fall through the cracks who don't qualify for Medicaid."

Dr. Jack Keith, a retired orthopedic surgeon, started Healthy Smiles, which began serving children two years ago. Keith said a study was conducted five years ago that found almost 10,000 children in the county needed dental care.

"We don't have any idea of what it is now, but I don't think it's decreased any," Keith said.

Some of the children treated Friday were visiting a dentist for the first time. Keith said dentists spend a minimum of 30 minutes with each child and that they take time to treat and look for any problems because it could be awhile before a child sees a dentist again.

Dr. David Dedmon said the first child he saw Friday received treatment that would normally cost $1,000. He and other dentists noted some of the problems they treated so they could share the information with county, state and national dental associations.

Last year, the clinic served 425 children. This year's goal is to treat 700.

"It's the most common reason for a child to miss school - an achy tooth or an abscessed tooth," Keith said.

Children are referred to Healthy Smiles through schools. Small busloads of children are brought to the clinic on Fridays. Keith said the kids receive dental services and are taught good oral hygiene.

Dentists volunteer their services, and occasionally, the clinic pays to have children treated.

Cindy Roddey, executive director of Healthy Smiles, said four dentists regularly volunteer with the program.

"If we could have every dentist in the county giving us five hours a year, we could triple the number of children we see," Roddey said.

Local Dentists Give Youngstown Kids a Reason to Smile

On "Give Kids A Smile Day," Small Smiles partnered with other local providers to provide free screening and treatment to 200 kids from low-income communities in the Youngstown area. The full story, covered by The Youngstown Vindicator:

For a high percentage of the youths, it was the first time sitting in a dentist’s chair.

Feb. 7, YOUNGSTOWN, OH — Local dentists and dental hygienists provided some 200 under-served area schoolchildren, from preschool through the eighth grade, with dental examinations and treatment this week.

The program, Give Kids A Smile!, is under the auspices of the American Dental Association, and locally through the Corydon Palmer Dental Society.

Kids were bused all week to the Choffin Career & Technical Center’s dental assisting program; and to Youngstown State University’s dental hygiene program and Small Smiles Dental Clinic on Friday, which was National Give Kids A Smile! day.

For a high percentage of the kids, it was the first time sitting in a dentist’s chair, said Paula Oliver, program director for the Choffin dental assisting program. While Choffin is part of Youngstown schools, the dental assisting program is an adult education program, one of just three in Ohio that is accredited, Oliver said.

The children also received free tooth brushes and dental floss and made teeth identification imprints that were given to their schools, she said.

Children this young shouldn’t have cavities, with flouride in the water, said Dr. Steven Watts, who another volunteer dentist, Dr. Paul Bertolasio, said is the push behind the local program.

Watts’ private practice is in Howland, and Bertolasio’s in Girard.

From a treatment perspective, the children receive examinations, teeth cleaning, sealant to prevent cavities, and even fillings when necessary. There is also an education component, Oliver said.

The problem is, said Dr. Watts, that children are drinking too much bottled water, most of which does not contain flouride, and too much pop, especially dark colas, which contain phosphoric acid, which he said is hard on teeth.

The damage from phosphoric acid can be lessened by using a straw, which keeps less of the acid from touching the teeth, he said.

“I like to help kids,” said Dr. Bertolasio, who said he also does free work for first- and fifth-graders at Girard City Schools and St. Rose School in Girard, and talks to kids about dental care in the Giant Eagle Eagles Nests while their parents are shopping.

Also helping Friday were students of the Choffin nine-month dental assisting program, such as Julie Mohorick of Warren and Ashley Altomare of Leetonia.

There is a special component of the program this year, in which 10 to 20 families will be picked based on the children with the highest number of cavities, to all receive free dental examinations, teeth cleaning and dental care education, Oliver said.

“We’ll follow the families for a year and do any restorative work they need,” Dr. Watts said.