Oral health status of New Hampshire Head Start children, 2007-2008.
OBJECTIVE
We report on the baseline prevalence and severity of dental caries of children enrolled in the New Hampshire Head Start program during the 2007-2008 school year.


METHODS
We selected a random cluster sample of 607 children aged 3-5 years attending 27 Head Start centers across the state. Four volunteer dentists provided oral examinations and determined the presence of untreated dental caries, caries experience, and treatment urgency.


RESULTS
Overall, 40 percent of the participating children had experienced dental caries, and 31 percent had at least one untreated decayed tooth. Approximately 22 percent of the children had evidence of maxillary anterior caries, 23 percent were in need of dental care, and < 1 percent needed urgent care.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of dental caries is comparable with that reported by Head Start programs elsewhere. The prevalence of caries affecting maxillary anterior teeth is higher. Further studies should examine state-specific barriers to dental care among this population.
New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health Services, Concord, NH 03301-6504, USA. landerson@dhhs.state.nh.us
Ludmila
L
Anderson
Nancy R
NR
Martin
Arnie
A
Burdick
Regina T
RT
Flynn
David D
DD
Blaney
D002675:Child, Preschool; D003481:Cuspid / Q000473:pathology; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018479:Early Intervention, Educational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009513:New Hampshire / Q000453:epidemiology; D009909:Oral Health; D015995:Prevalence; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000453:epidemiology; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000473:pathology; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data