UNDATED (NewsDakota.com) – North Dakota was named the fifth top state for dental health in a study released by WalletHub, with Minnesota, Wisconsin, Connecticut and Illinois topping the list.
North Dakota has one of the lowest percentages of adults with ‘poor or fair’ oral health and also one of the highest percentages of adults who have visited a dental professional within the past year. Other factors in which the state fared better than the vast majority include the cost of dental treatment, the number of dentists per capita, and lifestyle choices such as smoking or the consumption of sugary foods.
According to the survey, the 10 states with worst dental care include Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, West Virginia, Montana, Louisiana, California, Florida, South Carolina, and Texas. North Dakota is fast building a reputation for being a state with an interest in health and wellness, with the government rising to the challenge in dental health as well as healthier living as a whole.
State Measures for Better Oral Health in North Dakota
Fluoridated water, which can reduce the number of cavities, were cited as a reason for WalletHub’s findings. As noted by the Official Portal for the North Dakota State Government, “Community water fluoridation is like drinking milk fortified with Vitamin D or eating bread and cereals enriched with folic acid.” Before water fluoridation in North Dakota, children had around three times more cavities than they do today.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has hailed water fluoridation as one of the 20th century’s 10 greatest public health achievements. The fluoride we obtain from oral health products such as toothpaste is insufficient, with research indicating that water fluoridation can make tooth decay prevention 25% more efficient in both adults and children. Currently, 25% of the population in the U.S. still does not have access to fluoridate water.
The Importance of Sealant Programs
North Dakota has been setting standards in preventive dental health care, having implemented the Seal! ND School-based Fluoride Varnish and Dental Sealant Program. Public health dental hygienists provide preventive services to children at over 40 schools, through the application of dental sealants, and fluoride varnishes. They also educate children on oral health and carry out screenings.
The hygienists visit schools with a 45% or higher reliance on free and reduced-fee meal programs, since there is an important link between income and dental health. Medicaid covers emergency services including the relief of pain and infections, the restoration of teeth and the maintenance of dental health. However, it does not always cover essential treatment like sealants, fluoride treatments, or endodontics, and this is where state programs can play an important role in ensuring optimal dental health.
Dental sealants are a plastic coating that cover the surfaces of teeth, thus protecting them against decay. Fluoride varnishing, meanwhile, not only prevents cavities but also slows or even stops the cavity process. The application takes only five minutes and can prevent the pain and discomfort associated with a filling. Sadly, many states are still slow in offering these treatments, even for at-risk kids.
Although North Dakota has plenty to smile about when it comes to dental health, important measures still need to be taken to increase awareness on oral health, and to provide all citizens with greater access to dental care. Currently, in the U.S. as a whole, lower income adults are almost 10 times as likely as high-income adults to rate the overall condition of their mouth and teeth as poor. Increasing oral health literacy should be a key area of focus, since simple lifestyle changes (such as the consumption of a healthy diet and regular dental checkups) can significantly reduce the likelihood of disease.