Experts For February: Childrens Dental Health Month
EXPERT RESOURCES: Pediatric dentistry
February is Children's Dental Health Month
Oral decay in children is epidemic in the United States. Some startling statistics:
More than 51 million school hours are lost each year due to oral health-related illnesses. They are the leading cause for missed school hours. Oral decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease, five times more prevalent than asthma and seven times more prevalent than hay fever. More than one-third of low-income children between the ages of 2 and 9 have at least one untreated decayed primary tooth. Dr. Joseph McManus, associate clinical professor of dentistry at Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery and director of dentistry at the Children's Aid Society, can discuss how the oral health epidemic affects children and the positive impact parents can have on their children's teeth. He also can address how this national problem is being addressed at the local level through mobile dental units and free dental clinics. Dr. Stephen Marshall, associate dean of Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery and director of Columbia's Community DentCare Program, can talk about how oral health care services have been expanded for children in Northern Manhattan, an area underserved by dental and medical health professionals. He also can discuss how Community DentCare has worked with the Community Health and Education program of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital's Ambulatory Care Network to establish dental services in local public schools.
Dr. Steven Chussid, director of the Division of Pediatric Dentistry at Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery, can address how oral health plays an integral role in a child's overall health and the importance of maintaining the oral health of children with special needs.
Dr. Martin Davis, clinical professor of pediatric dentistry, associate dean of student and alumni affairs, and former director of the Division of Pediatric Dentistry at Columbia's School of Dental and Oral Surgery, can discuss the implications of a growing shortage of pediatric dentists in the United States, for both children's oral health and public health in general.
Dr. Dennis Mitchell-Lewis, assistant professor of clinical dentistry at Columbia's School of Dental and Oral Surgery, can address the oral health status and needs of children in northern Manhattan, an area underserved by dental and medical professionals. He can also discuss the relationship between maternal periodontal disease and pre-term low birth weight in pregnancy.
For more information or to arrange an interview with Drs. McManus, Marshall, and/or Chussid, contact Adar Novak at 212-305-3900 or at an2040@columbia.edu.
For more information or to arrange an interview with Dr. Davis and/or Dr. Mitchell-Lewis, contact Leslie Boen at 212-305-4966 or lsb2001@columbia.edu.