Oral Health and School Readiness
Healthy Children Are Ready to Learn!
The health of a child’s mouth can affect all aspects of their life, including the ability to succeed in school. In 2018, over 440,000 of California K-12 students missed school due to dental problems.
Children with poor oral health may:
- Miss more school and receive lower grades than children who don’t
- Develop an infection or other serious health condition
- Have trouble eating, speaking, and even sleeping due to pain
- Have low self-esteem
The good news is tooth decay is preventable! Establishing good dental care habits at home at a young age is important; however, home care alone is no substitute for a dental check-up. Having a dental home and seeing a dentist every six months is the best way to ensure a child remains pain-free and able to focus in school.
