“Silent epidemic” is not something you would expect to hear connected to children’s teeth. The Center for Pediatric Dentistry tackles this very issue. It stands as a beacon of hope. The Center unites the UW School of Dentistry and Seattle Children’s. They partner to combat childhood dental disease.
The Center for Pediatric Dentistry emphasizes early intervention. They advocate for dental visits by age 1. It is not only a place for clinical care. The Center is also a hub for research and education. They also influence public policy. The goal is to lead the way in making inroads against this “silent epidemic”. State figures reveal a concerning reality. Over 60 percent of elementary school children have dental decay. About 20 percent suffer decay in seven or more teeth.
Picture this: The Center for Pediatric Dentistry anticipates 30,000 patient visits in its first year. This number grows to 40,000 a year thereafter. It is the first facility of its kind in the United States. Their mission includes training medical professionals. They focus on early-childhood caries detection and treatment.
Dr. Joel Berg chairs the UW Department of Pediatric Dentistry. He is also the director of the program. He states that there is an alarming increase in early childhood caries. He considers it a national health crisis. This trend combines with a shortage of pediatric dentists. The need for educational facilities is dire. An integrated policy approach is missing. These factors were the driving force behind The Center for Pediatric Dentistry.
Dr. Tom Hansen, CEO of Seattle Children’s, shares his vision. The Center for Pediatric Dentistry will serve as a leader in early childhood oral health. They will improve the health of children. Their reach extends throughout the region, the country, and the world. He expresses pleasure in partnering with the University of Washington. They unite for this important initiative.
The Center for Pediatric Dentistry’s journey is inspiring. Discussions involved Berg, Seattle Children’s, and the UW. Washington Dental Service and the Washington Dental Service Foundation also participated. A gift of $5 million from WDS and its Foundation in 2007 launched construction. Seattle Children’s contributed $1.5 million and other resources. The UW issued construction bonds. These bonds financed the balance of the renovation.
Laura Smith is the president and CEO of the WDS Foundation. She emphasizes the need for a giant step forward in disease reduction. She believes that this Center will be the catalyst. This is a unique opportunity. It addresses early childhood oral disease through a multipronged approach. It expands available care. They prevent and treat. Research focuses on more effective ways to deliver care. Focus is given to those children most at risk. Medical providers are engaged in prevention. Their education includes oral health. Needed public policy is identified.
The Center for Pediatric Dentistry has 16 dental chairs. It includes a full dental surgery center on site. They provide comprehensive care for patients through 18 years of age. Care extends to age 21 for patients with special needs. These include autism or Down syndrome. Two general anesthesia rooms are available. General anesthesia services are provided by board-certified anesthesiologists. Experienced dental assistants are part of the team. An on-site social worker is available. Interpretation is available in more than 120 languages. Social work and interpreter services are offered free of charge.
They provide expert care for children with special needs through age 20. The dentists and staff fully understand the demands of special-needs care. The Center welcomes these patients and their families. They have also created a social story for visiting The Center for Pediatric Dentistry. This story was based upon the Healthy Smiles for Autism document.