Oral Health Facts
The following provide facts and information about the status of oral health in Washington.
Children’s Oral Health
- Dental disease is the single most common chronic childhood disease—five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever. Learn more from our children’s oral health fact sheet.
- Washington’s 2010 Smile Survey is the latest statewide assessment of children’s oral health. It shows that children’s oral health in Washington is improving, but further work remains. Learn more from our 2010 Smile Survey overview. Results from the 2015 Smile Survey will be posted mid-2016.
- Over the last ten years, the rate of Medicaid insured children under age 6 receiving dental has nearly doubled, from 22% to 43%, and children are being seen earlier before disease starts. The percentage of young children receiving dental care in Washington. Learn more from our utilization graphic showing rates children under age six, two and one have receive dental care.
Senior’s Oral Health
- Twenty-five percent of adults 65 to 74 nationwide have severe periodontal (gum) disease.Learn more from our fact sheet. Learn more from our seniors oral health fact sheet.
Community Water Fluoridation
- About two-thirds of the country—more than 180 million people—receive the health benefits of fluoridated water. In Washington state, only about 62 percent of residents receive optimally fluoridated drinking water. Learn more from our fluoridation fact sheet.
Oral Health Watch
1h
Oral health is health and dental coverage is health coverage. The Apple Health adult dental program is essential to ensure lower-income residents living in Washington state can prevent oral disease and small dental problems from getting worse. #teethmatter #waleg
Oral Health Watch
2h
Oral health is health and dental coverage is health coverage. The Apple Health adult dental program is essential to ensure lower-income residents living in Washington state can prevent oral disease and small dental problems from getting worse. #teethmatter #waleg
Oral Health Watch
1d
WA state's Apple Health adult dental program helps keep people healthy. It helps prevent small problems from getting bigger & avoid needless pain from untreated cavities. Apple Health adult dental is not only good policy; it's the right thing to do #teethmatter #waleg
Untreated, often preventable, oral diseases send more than 2.1 million Americans to the emergency room each year, unnecessarily burdening the healthcare system. Preventive oral health care is critical to maintaining optimal overall health.
Oral Health Watch
1d
Water fluoridation benefits everyone - regardless of age, ethnicity and socioeconomic level. But it is especially beneficial for people who lack access to routine preventive dental care like seniors on fixed incomes, underserved communities and uncovered individuals. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
1d
Water fluoridation benefits everyone - regardless of age, ethnicity and socioeconomic level. But it is especially beneficial for people who lack access to routine preventive dental care like seniors on fixed incomes, underserved communities and uncovered individuals. #teethmatter
How can you help improve oral health equity in our state? Visit http://WashingtonWaterFluoridation.org to find and share important resources about community water fluoridation! #NationalFluorideDay
Oral Health Watch
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Thanks to water fluoridation - and communities like Grand Rapids, MI committed to public health - millions of Americans continue to experience the benefits of stronger teeth protected against cavities with the simple act of drinking fluoridated drinking water. #teethmatter
Today, January 25th is the 76th anniversary of water #fluoridation. Pictured is the water sculpture erected in Grand Rapids, MI, celebrating this historic public health measure.