Daughters of Charity put money where the mouth is

Tooth pain has been identified as the root cause for absence from school in Arkansas. A campaign funded by The Daughters of Charity Foundation in St. Louis, MO aims for provide free dental sealants to prevent tooth decay and dental cavities.

The combination of sealants and fluoride has the potential to nearly eliminate tooth decay in school age children. Sealants are most effective when provided to children at highest risk for tooth decay.

A screening survey of 7100 Arkansas public school third grade students revealed that 31 percent, or nearly one-third, of those children had untreated tooth decay.  Tooth decay, left untreated, can cause pain and tooth loss. Poor oral health is associated with several serious chronic diseases, including heart disease and kidney disorders. Tooth decay can cause difficulty in eating and lead to being under-weight, and can have negative effects on an individual’s self-esteem and employability.