Did you know that among young children, the most common chronic illness isn’t diabetes or even asthma? It is early childhood caries (ECC)–chronic tooth decay. And it doesn’t just edge out those other diseases for the number one position. ECC affects more than five times as many children as asthma. Of course, this isn’t just about early childhood caries. Oral health is about the associated oral systemic linkages (ie, periodontitis and DM, premature labor, CVD, and aspiration pneumonia, to name a few) as well as recognition of oral lesions, including the early detection of cancer.
To find out more, read the full article: Answering the Call: Joining the Fight for Oral Health.