Every parent wants to know whether their child’s teeth are on track, but the numbers behind children’s oral health are scattered across government reports and research journals. It is hard to tell which figures apply to families in Georgia, and harder still to know what they mean for your own child.
At Brown Dental, Dr. Jelani Brown and our team care for children from infancy through age 18 in Stockbridge and across Henry County. We pulled together the most reliable statistics we could find, explained where each one comes from, and connected them to the care we provide at our practice.
Cavities remain one of the most common health challenges for kids. According to the CDC’s cavity facts, untreated decay can cause pain and infections that get in the way of eating, speaking, playing, and learning. Untreated cavities can also lead to an abscess, a severe infection that can spread to other parts of the body.
These numbers are not shared equally across families. The CDC data show that children from lower-income households were more than twice as likely to have untreated cavities as children from higher-income households. The figures below reflect national data collected from 2017 to March 2020, so they describe the country as a whole rather than predicting what will happen to any one child.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, national data from 2017 to March 2020.
Georgia collects its own data by screening third graders in public and charter schools. In the statewide third grade survey from the Georgia Department of Public Health, about 19% of third graders had untreated tooth decay during the 2016 to 2017 school year. A CDC journal article reported a national average of 15.5% for children ages 6 to 9 from 2013 to 2016. The gap looks modest, but the state report shows it grows for some groups of children.
Third graders who qualified for free or reduced-price lunch were more than twice as likely to have untreated decay as classmates who did not qualify, and rural students were more likely to have untreated decay than urban students. The report also found that 8% of third graders needed dental care in the past year but could not get it. Parents most often named a lack of insurance or cost, and about 13% said the dentist did not accept Medicaid or their insurance.
| Measure | All Georgia third graders | Qualify for free or reduced-price lunch | Do not qualify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Untreated tooth decay | 19% | 24% | 11% |
| Sealants on first permanent molars | 35% | 30% | 40% |
| Dental visit in the past year | 87% | 82% | 95% |
Source: Georgia Department of Public Health Third Grade Oral Health Basic Screening Survey, 2016 to 2017 school year. The report describes the sealant difference between groups as not statistically significant.
Fear can keep families away from the dentist, and it is more common than many people expect. A 2021 review that pooled results from 50 studies, published in the International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, found that about 24% of children and adolescents experience dental anxiety. Dr. Brown takes a patient, unhurried approach with anxious children, and we use pain-free injection technology to help treatment feel more comfortable.
Source: pooled prevalence of dental anxiety from a 2021 systematic review with meta-analyses of 50 studies.
Sealants are thin protective coatings painted on the chewing surfaces of back teeth. The CDC explains that sealants can prevent up to 80% of cavities for 2 years and keep protecting against 50% of cavities for up to 4 years. Children ages 6 to 11 without them are almost three times more likely to have cavities in their molars. Our dental sealants are a preventive option we can discuss at your child’s next visit.
The same Georgia report points to a few simple habits. It recommends brushing twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste as soon as the first tooth appears, using an amount about the size of a grain of rice for young children. It also recommends a first dental visit by 12 months of age or when the first tooth comes in, followed by regular checkups. For children ages 6 to 12, that means a visit every six months or as your dentist advises. Prevention works best when it starts early and stays consistent.
Statistics describe groups, but every child is different. Dr. Jelani Brown and our team focus on prevention through regular exams and cleanings, treat early decay with fillings when needed, and offer pediatric sedation dentistry for children who need extra support. We also accept Medicaid and most major insurance plans, so cost does not have to stand between your child and care.
If you have questions about what these numbers mean for your child, we would love to help. Contact our office to schedule your child’s visit today.
We’re conveniently located in Stockbridge, Georgia, serving families throughout Henry County. Our modern, child-friendly office is designed to make every visit comfortable and stress-free for children of all ages. Stop by to meet Dr. Jelani Brown and our caring team, tour our facility, and discover why families trust Brown Dental for their children’s dental care. We accept Medicaid and most major insurance plans, and we offer flexible scheduling to accommodate busy family schedules. Contact us today to schedule your child’s appointment.
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