Child & Youth Dental Care

CHILD AND YOUTH DENTAL CARE

The goal of the WVOHC concerning dental care for children and youths is to develop state and local policy which supports oral health prevention and a dental home for every child in WV which aligns with the State Plan, mission and goals of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Oral Health Advisory Board (WVDHHR-OHAB) and the West Virginia Oral Health Coalition (WVOHC).

Issues include:

• Children and adolescents with Medicaid dental coverage were more likely to experience tooth decay than those with CHIP or private insurance (2012-2013)
• 56% of 3rd graders experienced tooth decay (2013-2014)
• 21% of 3rd graders had untreated cavities (2013-2014)
• 19% of children and adolescents had dental sealants on their permanent molar teeth (2013-2014)