Every Halloween, Americans purchase a staggering 600 million pounds of candy, sparking annual conversations around children’s dental health and affordable preventive care options.
One such resource is Community Dental Care in Maplewood, a clinic committed to providing accessible services to children, regardless of insurance status. The clinic also reaches out directly to local schools to connect with children in need of dental care.
“Some kids come to us with a few cavities, but there are others whose mouths are filled with decay, broken teeth, and ongoing pain. These issues often disrupt their eating, sleeping, and ability to focus in school due to constant oral infections,” explains Andrea Jimenez, a hygienist with Community Dental Care who works directly within schools.
For children without cavities, Jimenez and her team focus on prevention by applying dental sealants—a procedure roughly one-third the cost of traditional cavity fillings.
“Prevention is always more cost-effective than treatment,” Jimenez says. “Applying a sealant is quick, kids handle it well, and it eliminates any fear compared to getting a filling.”
Yet, the most effective preventive measure is even simpler and more affordable.
“Accessing dental care is essential, but brushing teeth daily helps remove bacteria, drastically reducing the chances of cavities,” Jimenez adds.
Children’s Dental Services, another organization committed to accessible dental care, recently expanded its reach by opening a new clinic in Northeast Minneapolis to serve children with state or no insurance, ensuring even more kids have access to critical preventive and restorative care.
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