The Oral Health Crisis In Your Classroom

Maryland Dental Society

Thank you to State Superintendent Dr. Lillian M. Lowery and the Maryland 24 – State System

Superintendents for affording us the opportunity. We look forward to providing classroom teachers, student teachers and school nurses

this vital material and information.

Who Really is “Off to School and Still No Cavities?”

In classrooms everywhere there are children with

healthy teeth…

Normal Oral Structures

1st Grader

Normal Oral Structures

3rd Grader

Normal Oral Structures

5th Grader

And, then there are children with painful,

untreated tooth decay.

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay(Nursing Caries)

Mild

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay(Nursing Caries)

Moderate

Severe

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay(Nursing Caries)

Pit and Fissure Caries

Smooth Surface Caries

8 year old male patient with generalized tooth decay

15 year old female patient w/ decayed teeth

Facial Cellulitis

Due to untreated dental abscess

Facial Cellulitis

Due to untreated dental abscess

Facial Cellulitis

Due to untreated dental abscess

Facial Cellulitis

Due to untreated dental abscess

Facial Cellulitis

Due to untreated dental abscess

• National surveys indicate calcium intake of children (teens in particular) are below recommended levels (may lead to increased risk for osteoporosis)

• Association with poor diet and obesity– Obesity has been suggested as possible origins

of several diseases of adulthood: osteoporosis, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer (Jacobson, 1999; Brody, 1999)

Health and Nutritional Impact

Intake during Teenage Years

10% of total caloric intake comes from soft drinks! Find

pic

A 12-ounce Can of Soda Contains

• 10-15 teaspoons (40 grams) of sugar• 35-45 milligrams of caffeine

• A 5-ounce cup of coffee – • 110-150 mg• Children that have increased

caffeine consumption may

experience: Restlessness Hyperactivity Difficulty concentrating Lack of sleeping

Health and Nutritional Impact

• National surveys indicate calcium intake of children (teens in particular) are below recommended levels (may lead to increased risk for osteoporosis)

• Association with poor diet and obesity

–Obesity has been suggested as possible origins of several diseases of adulthood: osteoporosis, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer (Jacobson, 1999; Brody, 1999)

Supersize Me!

What challenges may arise when What challenges may arise when there is a child suffering from there is a child suffering from

painful tooth decay in the painful tooth decay in the classroom?classroom?

Behavior Problems

Low Student Achievement

Self conscious about the appearance of their teeth

Child may be shy Child may not smile or laugh with mouth closed Child may not engage in conversation

Poor Social Relationships

High School Drop Out

Underage Drinking

Smoking

Teen Sex/Pregnancy

Stealing

Drug Use

Diseases

Other Negative Factors

Unemployment

The Cycle of Pain

Symptoms• elevated temperature• foul smelling breath• drooling• detached• clenched teeth• chapped lips• teeth with brown stains• teeth with black holes• mouth sores• swollen lip• swollen eye• swollen cheek• swollen neck• dehydrated• frequent earaches• frequent headaches• impaired speech• hyperactive

Signs•frequently absent•does not sing•seldom laughs•frowned face•hand over the mouth•unbalanced gait•head on the desk•rocks back & forth•tearful wailing•refuses to eat•moans & groans•withdrawn•paces the floor•angry outbursts•often irritable

•hands over eyes•low test scores•inability to concentrate•low self esteem

Signs and Symptoms of Oral Health Neglect

Dental Deaths

What can teachers do?

Lessons K-12: Get Kids Excited to Learn About Oral Health Care

Brushing Song

(Sung to Old MacDonald Had a Farm)In my mouth I have some teeth,

E-I-E-I-OAnd in my mouth I put my brush,

E-I-E-I-OWith a brush, brush hereAnd a brush, brush there

Here a brushThere a brush

Everywhere a brush, brushIn my mouth I’ll keep my teeth!

E-I-E-I-O!!!!

Music

My Tooth

My tooth fell out and left a space

So big my tongue can touch my face.

And every time I smile I show

The place where something used to grow.

I miss my tooth as you can guess

But now I have to brush one less!

Poetry

Math

Math

Reading

Reading

Science

Physical Education

Mouth Guards

HistoryIn 1790, when George Washington was elected as the first President of the United States he only had 1 natural tooth. He had false teeth made from gold, hippopotamus and walrus tusks. Contrary to popular belief he did not have teeth made from wood.

Greek Mythology• St.  Apollonia is the Patron

Saint of Dentists, and people suffering from toothache and other dental diseases often ask her intercession. She is pictured with a pair of pincers holding a tooth or with a golden tooth suspended from her necklace.

• St. Appolonia was persecuted for her religious views and her persecutors knocked out all of her teeth out and burned her.

Puzzles

Figure 3 highlights the willingness on the part of educators to teach across the curriculum, by incorporating oral health education within existing health, reading, math, science and other disciplines. Incorporating oral health education into the public school curricula could mean the difference between sub-par academic achievement and measurable intellectual gains for many children in Title One Schools.

The author of the November 1, 2012 Journal of the American Dental Association article , Dental Disease, Poor Academic Performance Linked, Researchers Report wrote, “ Children who reported experiencing recent tooth pain were almost four times more likely than those without tooth pain to have a grade point average lower than the median grade point average of 2.8.” The impact of oral health neglect cannot be understated.

Resources

Corporate Dentistry

• Colgate

• Sunstar Butler

• Crest Oral-B

• Dr. Fresh

• Brushtime Products, Inc.

Organized Dentistry

• American Dental Association (ADA)• American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA)• National Dentist Association (NDA)• Hispanic Dental Association (HDA)• American Association of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD)• American Association of Public Health Dentistry (AAPHD)• Society of American Indian Dentist (SAID)

Non-Profit Organizations

• Oral Health America• The Children’s Oral Health Institute• National Museum of Dentistry• Dental Trade Alliance

Code Red: The Oral Health Crisis In Your Classroom© Empowering the Teacher To Teach Oral Health

Education-A Curriculum Reference Resource

Project Clean Toothbrush: Important Tips To Help

Prevent The Spread of Flu Germs

Lessons In A Lunch Box: Healthy Teeth Essentials & Facts About Snacks®

V. Conclusion

Q&A

THANK YOU