hildren often miss school in order to receive dental care, including both routine
preventive care (checkups and cleaning) and treatment for dental problems. A day of
absence to receive preventive care may be appropriate and/or unavoidable; however,
frequent absences may have significant negative societal and economic consequences. Tooth
decay (dental caries) is the single most common chronic disease of childhood and affects nearly
60% of children in the United States. 1 Significant consequences of tooth decay including pain,
chewing difficulties and lack of sleep can impact learning and growth.