Dentistry and oral health and underprivileged children

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by: Britney Silver
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Word Count: 520
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 2011 Time: 6:44 PM
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Child poverty is a huge global problem; even in developed countries like the UK and America, a significant proportion of children are living below the poverty line.
Many children who live in poverty live with parents or guardians but their parents do not earn enough money to provide them with basic clothing, food and shelter; many live in rundown houses, where they share tiny rooms with other members of the family and survive on a small daily intake of food.

Increased likelihood of dental health problems

Children who live in poverty are more likely to develop health problems, which can persist for much longer because their general health is poor; often, underprivileged children have a poor diet, which means that they do not take in the minerals, vitamins and nutrients they need to grow and become stronger. All young children are vulnerable to illness because their immune systems are not fully developed but those living in poor areas are particularly vulnerable.

Many parents bringing up children on a tight budget buy foods which are cheap, rather than healthier products and this can cause children to miss out on essential nutrients and grow accustomed to eating fast food and ready meals. Children with poor eating habits often go onto develop bad eating habits during adulthood and they are often overweight and prone to serious health conditions, including heart disease, strokes and diabetes.

A child's surroundings

The environment we live in can have a huge impact on our health; children who grow up in dirty, damp surroundings are more likely to develop respiratory problems and contract infections than those that live in clean, warm surroundings.

Medical care in the UK is free of charge and dental care is free for children, yet many children do not attend regular dental appointments. Oral health is really important because it reflects general health; poor oral health can contribute to serious medical conditions, including increased risk of heart disease and strokes. Many children living in poverty do not have access to oral hygiene products and are not registered with an NHS dentist; many also have a poor diet, which is high in sugar, salt and fat and this can contribute to oral health problems including tooth decay and gum disease.

The life of an underprivileged child

Children from underprivileged areas usually go to schools which underperform and have basic facilities; often classes are crowded and children are not given the resources they need to excel. Many children dislike school and have no ambition to go out and get a job or go on to further education. Underprivileged children usually live in poorer areas, where access to local services is poor and aspirations are low. Without the comfort of money, stable familial relationships and good services, many people fall into a cycle of taking drugs, bunking off school and getting into trouble with the police; figures show that young people from underserved, poorer areas are much more likely to be unemployed and commit crimes.

About the Author

A child's milk teeth can be a wonderful means to remember your young one's development, and there is information on the tooth gems guide to find out how this can be done.