Determining the extent of dental health problems.

The prevalence of oral disease is a neglected epidemic. 60% of Americans do not have dental insurance over 40% of those 65 years old and older have no teeth and dental disease causes 14.3 million days of restricted activity each year. Only 25% of eligible children receive dental care under Medicaid. 84% of teens have had tooth decay and 60% of them have gum infections. African American low-income and Native American children have 65% 91% and 265% respectively more untreated caries than their peers. 97% of homeless persons need dental care. Dental expenditures in Medicaid fell by more than 50% in the 1980s. 30% of the first signs of HIV infection appear in the oral cavity. National efforts are attempting to alleviate this situation. Legislation requires states to collect data on health care needs and oral health is part of the year 2000 health objective for the nation. California will complete its first state-wide oral health needs assessment in 1993 which comprises the oral health needs of children and local specific information for program planning. The Dental Health Foundation will train dental examiners to conduct the assessment and survey. The Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP) program is responsible for referring children for an annual preventive dental visit. The state-wide average for referral of a child with a dental condition is 4.9%. State-funded dental assessments of children affect 10% Asian 2% Black 77% Hispanic and 10% White children. CHDP data reports can be used to design target and implement dental interventions.