skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, November 1, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump attacks Liz Cheney using violent war imagery; Election insights: What 50 Ohioans want to hear from candidates; Consumer groups slam CA Supreme Court ruling on lemon law; On National Brush Day, new resources in KY to boost oral health.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Harris says her campaign is prepared for Trump to prematurely claim victory, Pennsylvania election officials say safeguards in the system are preventing vote fraud, and Montana Senate race could hinge on the "political refugee" vote.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

A Cambodian poultry farmer who lost his livelihood could be a hero for others, rural Montanans are anxiously awaiting a court ruling over a climate lawsuit brought by young people, and Northeast states say more housing for working families could boost jobs.

MI Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment and what it means for kids

play audio
Play

Friday, February 16, 2024   

A new Michigan law signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in December will expand access to dental care for children statewide.

Once funding is approved to expand the dental health pilot program known as KOHA, kindergartners starting school this fall will be required to get an oral health assessment by a dental professional.

Norm Hess, executive director of the Michigan Association for Local Public Health, said the rollout will take time and there will be a grace period for parents but ultimately, the program will be good for Michigan kids.

"As far as public health programs go, it has got a lot of benefit at a relatively low cost," Hess explained. "Every child that is going into Kindergarten -- which is more than 100,000 every year in Michigan -- will benefit from this program."

Hess emphasized adult teeth and oral health are very much affected by the condition of their first set of "baby" teeth. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said tooth decay is the most common chronic disease of childhood in the United States, and more than half of children have had a cavity by age eight.

Paul McConnell, dental director for UnitedHealthcare, said anytime is a great time to focus on building healthy dental habits for children to continue throughout their life. He recommended parents start showing children the importance of a dental health routine including brushing and flossing from as early as a few months of age, so it is not a big adjustment when they are older.

"Putting a timer on your phone so that you do it at the same time every day -- in the morning and in the evening -- or tying it to another activity," McConnell advised. "That way, you link one habit to another, and it's hard to break those habits when they've already been linked together."

The Mayo Clinic said cardiovascular disease, pregnancy complications or birth issues, pneumonia, diabetes and even Alzheimer's disease may be linked to poor oral hygiene, so early care will help with prevention.

Disclosure: UnitedHealthcare contributes to our fund for reporting on Health Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
Signal Ohio found overarching issues such as climate change, reproductive rights and safety were on the minds of many Ohioans. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

As Election Day approaches, the online outlet Signal Ohio interviewed 50 people across Cleveland and Akron to find out what is on the minds of …


Environment

play sound

Wild Chinook salmon have returned to the Upper Klamath River less than two months after the largest dam-removal project in U.S. history to remove …

Social Issues

play sound

Millions of Californians buy used cars still under a manufacturer's warranty - but consumer groups say those warranties are now essentially unenforcea…


Even with the rise of social media and email blasts, traditional "Get Out the Vote" rallies are seen by experts as key to helping boost participation in elections. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Political rallies and large-scale "get out the vote" events might conjure images of a packed arena in a major city but in states like North Dakota…

Environment

play sound

As North Carolina communities continue to pick up the pieces after Hurricane Helene, they have faced a new obstacle: A surge of misinformation is …

As of Oct. 31, Minnesota election offices had accepted nearly 1 million absentee ballots. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

In the final sprint toward Election Day, some Minnesotans might worry their absentee ballot won't arrive in time. Experts say there's no cause for …

Social Issues

play sound

New York's affordable housing crisis is being made worse by corporate landlords, according to groups trying to reform the system. The state …

Social Issues

play sound

By Mariah Alanskas for Kent State NewsLab.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021