Early Childhood Caries and the Pediatric NP
ECC is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood. ECC is associated with poor oral health and has far reaching implications such as oral pain, excessive school absenteeism, poor school performance, failure to thrive, and continued poor oral health as an adult. Oral health problems are costly. In 2010, an estimated $108 billion was spent on dental services in the United States, and today an estimated 18.5 million children go without basic dental care each year because of inadequate access either by provider shortage or lack of insurance coverage.
Background
ECC is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood. ECC is associated with poor oral health and has far reaching implications such as oral pain, excessive school absenteeism, poor school performance, failure to thrive, and continued poor oral health as an adult. Oral health problems are costly. In 2010, an estimated $108 billion was spent on dental services in the United States, and today an estimated 18.5 million children go without basic dental care each year because of inadequate access either by provider shortage or lack of insurance coverage.
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