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ARE YOU GUILTY OF DENTAL NEGLECT?

By  Dr. Fina S. Gupit-Lopez,, DDM

Bea, 2 1/2 years old, did not get to sleep last night because of a toothache.  So did her parents, who were kept up because of Bea’s loud crying.  The next day, they brought Bea to the dentist.  This was Bea’s first dental visit.  And lo and behold, they were told that all 20 teeth of Bea have cavities!  Sure, they knew that Bea had some cavities, but they did not know that all were involved.  But they’ve always thought that they’re not permanent teeth anyway, so they never really did take care of Bea’s teeth well.  The dentist told them that since the last baby tooth will fall off at 11 years old, all 20 teeth need to undergo treatment. And because of the uncooperative behavior of Bea, the treatment needs to be done under conscious sedation.  The parents of Bea were so surprised how expensive it is for Bea to undergo dental treatment.  There goes the new cellphone that the dad of Bea has been eyeing. The parents left the clinic of the dentist, saying they will think about it.

Dental neglect, according to the American Dental Association, is the willful failure of parent or guardian to seek and follow through with treatment necessary to ensure a level of oral health essential for adequate function and freedom from pain and infection. 

The parents of Bea are not the only ones who are guilty of dental neglect.   Some parents don’t believe in the importance of baby teeth, even after an explanation. They think it’s an extravagance spending on baby teeth.  What they do not know is that by NOT taking care of these teeth even though they are temporary can have devastating effects.  

The parents of Bea kept on giving her pain relievers to alleviate the pain so Bea can sleep (and them, too!) A few days later, the parents of Bea noticed that she hasn’t been crying of pain anymore.  Although, what they did NOT notice was that Bea found a way of coping with the chronic pain that she has been feeling.  She was picking the soft food over the hard ones; she was avoiding the sweet and cold. Gradually, she began losing weight because she was undernourished.  After a few weeks, Bea began to feel weak.

According to the American Dental Association, a person should be considered to have a dental disability if pain, infection, or lack of functional dentition:

1.restricts nutritional intake adequate for growth and energy needs.

2.delays or otherwise alters growth and development.

3.   inhibits participation in life activities.

But even if the parents are able to bring their children to the dentist, some don’t go through with the proper treatment.  They believe that such an expense should not be spent on baby teeth.  They opt instead on giving their children medication  (which by the way, too much medicine intake can affect our kidneys), to take away the pain.   And when the child does not complain anymore, then they let it be, leaving the child to cope with the chronic pain.  The poor kids choose the food they eat and on what teeth they’ll chew it with.  The parents pray that their children don’t bother them anymore of toothaches.  And when it does happen again, they sometimes try to remedy it themselves by self-medicating or giving toothache drops, just so they won’t hear of dental treatment which they consider expensive.  

Oral health should be considered to be a part of our overall health.  Tooth decay, gum diseases and other oral conditions, if left untreated can lead to pain, infection and loss of function.  These undesirable outcomes can adversely affect learning, communication, nutrition and other activities necessary for normal growth and development.

To put a stop to dental disability and if you are not willing to pay dental fees for your child, which you consider expensive, then the best way to approach this is to avoid tooth decay altogether!  Do prevention strategies like regular toothbrushing with a fluoridated toothpaste and avoid nighttime bottle feeding and frequent snacking. Remember, it is the parents’ responsibility to take care of their children’s health. Ergo, moms and dads, it is actually your fault that your child is suffering from a toothache; you are to blame that your child can’t eat well, is sickly and is suffering from pain.

Don’t be guilty of dental neglect.  The consequences of your neglect can be devastating for your children.