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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Making CO Cavity Free at Three

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Monday, November 26, 2012   

DENVER - A statewide program has a simple goal: making Colorado kids cavity free by age three. The University of Colorado Medical School program is designed to raise awareness about the need for dental care even on those baby teeth. Karen Savoie runs "Cavity Free at Three." She says toddlers should make brushing a part of their daily routine, and kids should start seeing the dentist by age one.

"Children are not getting to the dentist early enough. Prevention is key. If we can keep these children decay-free until they get to preschool or until they get to kindergarten, then we know they have a lifetime of better outcomes."

The problem is that early tooth decay can set kids up for problems even when those permanent teeth do come in. She says bad tooth infections can be fatal for children. More common side effects include pain, decreased nutrition, and problems with speech or self-esteem.

One problem is that Colorado kids - especially those from low income families - often don't make it to the dentist. The 2011 Colorado Health Report Card found the state ranks in the bottom tier nationally for children getting at least one preventive dental care visit in the past year.

Savoie says that care is more prevalent in urban areas like Denver, but nine counties in the state don't even have a local dentist.

"I think the biggest problem is access to care. So, we know that 80 percent of this disease is occurring in 20 percent of the population."

Savoie says it's often difficult for families on Medicaid or Colorado's low-income health plan to find a dentist that will treat children.

"Those are the ones that are at high risk. Those are the ones with the greatest barriers to seeking dental care."

Cavity Free at Three employs 80 master trainers across the state, helping to train providers and being there to make sure low-income families know the dental care is available for their kids.

The Colorado Health Report Card is at www.coloradohealthreportcard.org.




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