Georgia Oral Health Among Children Good oral health among children in Georgia largely dependent upon family income level ATLANTA (GA) – Twenty-six percent of Georgia’s 3rd grade children need either early (22%) or urgent (4%) dental care, according to the 2005 Georgia Third Grade Oral Health Survey conducted by the Georgia Department of Human Resources’ Oral Health Program. The oral health survey also revealed that children in higher income households are more likely to have good oral health than children from lower income households. Children from Metropolitan Atlanta are more likely to have good oral health than children from other regions. "We know from the survey that 56% of Georgia’s 3rd grade children have caries, or tooth decay; 27% have untreated dental decay; and 40% have dental sealants," said Dr. Stuart Brown, DHR’s Division Director of Public Health. "We also know that a higher concentration of dental disease occurs among lower income families," added Dr. Brown. "In fact 13% of 3rd grade children surveyed could not get dental care when needed, that’s why we’re working with our partners to improve access to dental services statewide regardless of ability to pay." DHR partners with other oral health professionals who volunteer to help at-risk children statewide , including the Georgia Dental Association, Georgia Dental Society, Georgia Dental Hygienists’ Association, Medical College of Georgia, School Nurses Association and the Office of School Health. Public health programs also work with the Department of Community Health (Medicaid-PeachCare) and with private dentists to obtain care for children needing extensive services. Under the direction of DHR’s local district dental directors, its school based oral health program provides services to elementary schools and Head Start centers with high numbers of lower income children. The oral health program provides fluoride varnish application for the children and fluoride varnish application training to dental professionals. DHR’s preventive measures against childhood dental disease help reduce costly health care services, and reduce the associated risks for contracting other chronic diseases linked to dental disease such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory infections, and low birth weight. Pediatric Dentistry magazine reported in a study on Medicaid dental expenditures that hospital care is ten times more expensive at $6,498, than preventive dental treatment costing $660.