Dental care has recently been identified as the most prevalent unmet health need for children.  Low-income and minority children and those with special health care needs are at greatest risk of inadequate access and poor oral health.  Not surprisingly, uninsured children are half as likely as insured children to receive dental care. Even with Medicaid, fewer than one in five children received a single dental visit in a recent year-long study.  More than 51 million school hours are lost each year to dental-related illness, and pain from these untreated diseases can lead to problems in eating, speaking, and learning.

Washington Appleseed, with its team of pro bono lawyers, is collaborating with dental health specialists to improve access to dental care for underserved children.  We are working to increase awareness of the importance of dental health both in schools and homes.  We are also supporting legislation to increase the Medicaid reimbursement rates for dental providers, and supporting legislation to fluoridate water systems in cities throughout Washington State.