Tooth Decay Among Indigenous Children of U.S. and Canada

Not long ago we told you that one of the most common infectious diseases among indigenous children of the United States and Canada is early childhood tooth decay.  The James Irvine's statement claiming that "The influence of early childhood caries on overall childhood health and well being goes well beyond the mouth, and many of our indigenous children have not benefited fully from the many advances to improve oral health in North American children," stresses the need for indigenous children to have access to early oral health care.

"Many physicians continue to view early childhood caries as a dental problem to be treated by dentists," noted Steve Holve, MD, FAAP, another co-author.

"We want to emphasize that early childhood caries is an infectious disease, knowing that infectious diseases are problems in which pediatricians and primary care providers are experts.  The skills of our dental colleagues are highly valued, but we hope to shift the focus of treatment for early childhood caries to primary care providers and preventive measures such as topical fluoride varnishes."

Source: American Academy of Pediatrics; Canadian Pediatric Society