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Free, universal access to full dental care does
not brush away the dental
difference between children from different socioeconomic backgrounds,
according to a new report.
Children's home dental practices
and their parents' educational level
were significantly related to dental health.
The researchers evaluated the dental history and dental health
of more than 1,200 first-graders in Nova Scotia. The province has
provided free, universal dental care since 1975, so all
the children in the study had access to care since birth.
The researchers interviewed parents about children's dental care
history and examined the children themselves for cavities and other
signs of poor dental health.
More than 90% of the children had their first visit to the dentist
by at least age 2 and continued to have annual checkups.
But children whose parents had completed a university education
had significantly better dental health than those whose parents
had a lower educational level, with fewer cavities, fillings and
other signs of tooth decay.
Providing access to dental care does not
by itself accomplish the goal of eliminating disparities in dental
health.
Journal of the American
Dental Association March 2001; 132: 295-303
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