Author: Jeanette

West Virginia
Universal Pre-Kindergarten Oral Health Surveillance
2011-2012

Baseline data collection to strengthen
the oral health of West Virginia’s children
MARSHALL UNIVERSITY & THE WV DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN RESOURCES, BUREAU FOR PUBLIC HEALTH, OFFICE OF MATERNAL, CHILD & FAMILY HEALTH, ORAL HEALTH PROGRAM

West Virginia’s oral health survey provides essential information about the oral health of our children, and can guide future practice in our State.

Summary of Findings
PREVALENCE OF UNTREATED DECAY %
All Children	20.8%
PREVALENCE OF DECAY EXPERIENCE %
All Children	33.8%
PREVALENCE OF WHITE SPOT LESIONS %
All Children	34.5%
PREVALENCE OF NEED FOR DENTAL TREATMENT (EARLY/URGENT) %
All Children	21.0%

*Data for the National Oral Health Surveillance System—Estimates are adjusted for the sampling scheme and non-response:

Characteristic	Estimate Adjusted / for Non-Response	95% Confidence Limits*
		Lower CL	Upper CL
Caries Experience	33.8	27.6	39.9
Untreated Decay	20.8	16.7	25.0

**Data for the National Oral Health Surveillance System—Estimates are adjusted for the sampling scheme
but are NOT adjusted for non-response:

Characteristic	Estimate NOT Adjusted / for Non-Response	95% Confidence Limits**
		Lower CL	Upper CL
Caries Experience	34.5	28.7	40.3
Untreated Decay	21.2	17.1	25.4

Special Acknowledgements: West Virginia Department of Education-Office of Healthy Schools, WV Head Start Association, WVU School of Dentistry, Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department, Universal Pre-Kindergarten Teachers, Staff, and Students
For more information: For additional state and national data, please visit http://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/index.htm as data and information change frequently and is updated on a regular basis. For further information, contact Bobbi Jo Muto, BS, RDH at 304.542.9592—Bjmuto.steele@marshall.edu

Tooth decay (dental caries) affects children in the United States more than any other chronic infectious disease. Untreated tooth decay causes pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, and learning. The good news is that tooth decay and other oral diseases in children are preventable. The combination of dental sealants and fluoride has the potential to nearly eliminate tooth decay in school-age children. (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention)
Thirty-five classrooms throughout West Virginia were randomly selected to participate using a probability proportional to size sampling scheme to assure a sample representative of the entire state. All 35 sites agreed to participate. Screenings were conducted by trained examiners during the 2011-2012 school year. A total of 504 preschool children participated.
What is Universal Pre-Kindergarten?
Universal Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) is a term that the WV Department of Education uses for the public preschool program which is a collaborative integrated system throughout West Virginia. These classrooms ensure all four year old children have access to a high quality early childhood experience while partnering with the Head Start Program, private preschools and childcare centers to meet the various needs of children and families. This is in an effort to assure every four year old child in West Virginia has access to a high-quality Pre-K classroom and are not segregated by income, ability, funding stream, care needs or other characteristics. “Care” and “education” are integrated into one consistent program that addresses individual strengths and needs.