LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Unofficial reports from Kentucky dentists have indicated that the number of cavities has increased among Kentucky children since the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a recent state-funded survey, the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry found data to support these claims.

Professor of Oral Health Sciences at the UK Department of Public Health Dentistry, Dr. “We really wanted to take a very broad look at what’s going on with all kids in Kentucky,” Pam Stein said.

For the first time since 2001, the College of Dentistry has partnered with the Kentucky Department of Public Health on the 2023 Kentucky Early Student Oral Health Surveillance Project. The state-funded survey included 6,600 children ages 2 to 5 in 106 counties.

“This had to be done,” said Dr. “And we’ll be able to do a lot of good things because now we know what’s going on and we can design interventions and partnerships to strategically address this problem because we have the data,” Stein said.

The survey found that the rate of tooth decay among all children ages two to five in Kentucky was 35%. This compares to the national average of 23%.

Dr. “That meant they either had a cavity that was filled or they had an existing cavity that needed to be treated,” Stein said.

The study divided Kentucky into eight regions and showed that the highest degradation rates were in eastern and south-central Kentucky.

Jennifer Harrison MPH, RDH. Project Director, Kentucky Early Learners Oral Health Surveillance Project in Partnership with UKCD and KDPH

Dr. “When more than half of very young children experience decay, those are areas where we actually schedule focus groups with parents,” Stein said. “We are supposed to have preventative visits for our children every six months, but for some reason they cannot access care. And it’s a complicated issue.”

Along with these planned focus groups, the data from this survey provided a foundation for dental and healthcare leaders in Kentucky to begin creating better dental health habits.

Dr. “First, they need to take their kids to the dentist by the time they are one year old,” Stein said. “When the first tooth comes out, or at the latest when a single tooth comes out.”

Children should see a dentist every six months after the initial examination. Diet and home dental care are two other steps to preventing tooth decay.

Dr. “If dental infection is not treated, very serious consequences may occur in children,” said Stein. “It can cause fever; may cause problems in the respiratory tract.

Using data from the survey and other outreach programs of the UK College of Dentistry, Dr. Stein is confident Kentucky can take credit for the high decay rates.

“Tooth decay is completely preventable and it is neither difficult nor expensive to prevent. This really lights a fire in me and others,” said Dr. Stein. “I am hopeful. “I hope we can improve this situation for our youngest Kentuckians.”

You can find more information about the 2023 Kentucky Early Learners Oral Health Surveillance Project Here.