Michigan Children Get Special Help To Reduce Tooth Decay

A special program, Varnish! Michigan, funded by Delta Dental and administered by the Michigan Department of Community Health, is helping to prevent tooth decay in nearly 16,000 children enrolled in Head Start and Early Head Start programs throughout the state. Launched in the fall of 2007 with a $250,000 grant from Delta Dental, the program provides applications of fluoride varnish on the teeth of low-income children up to five years of age. Fluoride varnish is one of the most effective treatments to prevent tooth decay," said Jed Jacobson, D.D.S., M.S., M/P.H., chief science officer at Delta Dental. "It is safe and simple to apply. We are delighted to be partnering with the Michigan Department of Community Health on this effort to improve the oral health of thousands of low-income children." Children enrolled in Head Start (ages three to five) will receive two applications of fluoride varnish, and children enrolled in Early Head Start (ages birth to three) will receive four applications. State officials expect the treatment to reduce decay between 48 and 60 percent in this group of children. The first application of fluoride varnish was applied in the fall of 2007. Many of the participants are receiving their second application this month.