Proper dental care is important for every child. By implementing healthy habits when they’re young, you can help to ensure they’ll continue those habits as they get older. Having a daily dental routine is also important for avoiding cavities, tooth decay, gingivitis, and gum disease.
Children in the foster system may not have access to preventative care like regular dental check-ups. If you’re a foster parent, it’s even more important to ensure your foster children receive proper care whenever possible. LevelUp Kids is an organization that can be the solution many foster families need since we can provide FREE dental care for foster children of low-income families.
Problems with Oral Health for Children in Foster Care
In low-income family situations, dental decay and poor oral health are huge health concerns often neglected among children. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 35 percent of children and teens who enter foster care have significant oral and dental health problems. This is typically due to dental neglect and other common disorders like periodontal disease.
Foster children come from many different scenarios, some of which can be rather negative. These experiences lead to poor access to dental care, especially if their guardians fail to schedule regular dental check-ups or become educated about proper dental care. Children may also be exposed to illegal drugs, alcohol, and unhealthy food options, furthering dental complications.
Children can potentially have a myriad of dental problems, leading to long-term damage if left untreated. If children are not able to receive dental care, poor dental health and oral disease become extensive and more expensive to treat. Kids who aren't used to routine dental visits may also respond negatively to dental care because it's a new experience for them.
Importance of Dental Care for Foster Children
Foster children need proper dental care, including access to care that can prevent serious and costly dental conditions in the future. Problems with dental health can also indicate other factors of a foster child’s overall health that have been neglected. Foster parents need to encourage proper oral health in their foster children.
Educating foster parents about daily oral health practices can help to reduce the risk of tooth decay and other dental diseases. Those in the foster care community can collaborate with dental professionals, like those at LevelUp Kids, to provide appropriate care for their children.
Daily toothbrushing and flossing routines are inexpensive and effective methods for reducing dental problems. Depending on the circumstances of the foster situation, many children can be influenced in a positive and constructive way to take care of their teeth.
Encouraging Dental Health at Home with Foster Children
There are many ways to encourage healthy dental habits at home. Here are some helpful tips we recommend for foster parents so they can ease their children into proper dental care.
Establish a daily routine by implementing self-care tasks into your foster child’s day. Encourage brushing two to three times a day and flossing once. It’s important to establish a dental care routine with foster children both in the morning and at night so they are taking proper care of their teeth all day long.
If you’re a new foster parent, you may still be getting to know your foster child. They may be shy or nervous about being in a new home. Make their dental routine fun by buying music-playing or light-up toothbrushes, flavored toothpaste, or products with their favorite animated characters on them. By finding flavors and colors they love, you can establish a daily dental routine with them and get to know them better.
If your foster child is nervous about going to the dentist, talk to them about why dental health is so important and slowly ease them into the process of having dental appointments. Many dentists who work with children, especially those of low-income families, can provide a personalized experience to make the child feel more comfortable.
Getting FREE Dental Care at LevelUp Kids
If you’re looking to get FREE dental care for your foster children, there are specialized treatment centers that can provide what you need. LevelUp Kids offers FREE dental care to children of low-income families, including those placed with foster families. We offer many services, including comprehensive dental exams, fluoride treatment, radiographs, crowns, and much more.
If you’re a foster parent in the Kansas City area looking for FREE dental care, LevelUp Kids is here for you. Contact us today to see if you qualify for our FREE dental services. You can also check out our school schedule to see if we’ll be stopping by your child’s school soon.