skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, February 7, 2025

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

Judge pauses deadline for federal workers to accept Trump's resignation offer; CA state lawmakers take action to enact safeguards against federal immigration enforcement; Study shows air quality disparities from industrial ag in NC.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Attorney General Pam Bondi strikes a Trump tone at the Justice Department, federal workers get more time to consider buyouts, and an unclassified email request from the White House worries CIA vets.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

During Black History Month, a new book shares how a unique partnership built 5,000 schools for Black students, anti-hunger advocates say ag communities would benefit from an expanded SNAP program, and Americans have $90 billion in unpaid medical bills.

GA dental health experts stress importance of early prevention for children

play audio
Play

Monday, February 19, 2024   

February is Children's Dental Health Month and experts are urging parents to establish good dental health early.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cavities are the most common chronic disease in children across the nation.

Paul McConnell, dental director for UnitedHealthcare, said while tooth decay may not seem significant for baby teeth, it can lead to issues with permanent teeth, speech and overall health. He stressed the importance of helping children build a consistent dental routine.

"It's so much harder to start developing habits when kids are six, seven, eight years old because you're introducing something that's different or something that's foreign," McConnell pointed out. "Starting when they're just born to a year old and then progressively adding flossing into that routine."

McConnell highlighted the importance of regular dental visits for children. He acknowledged access to dental care can be limited in rural areas but suggested community health centers, local colleges and dental schools as options for getting young people the care they need.

Clayton State University's dental clinic in Morrow is helping bridge the gap in access to dental care.

Heather Eddy, senior clinic director at Clayton State University, said it has been serving the community for 50 years, particularly assisting people with lower incomes or insufficient dental coverage. In celebration of Children's Dental Health Month, it is hosting a free dental clinic for kids aged 3-17.

"The services include the screening process, radiograph, their prophylaxis which is dental cleaning, and then fluoride and sealant," Eddy outlined. "We're really grateful to our partners at Patterson Dental for supplying a lot of the items that we'll be able to use this week."

Eddy emphasized the importance of regular dental checkups because some children may not express when they have dental issues, leaving serious problems untreated. She added caregivers play a vital role in establishing preventive habits. The clinic will be open from today through Friday.

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
Opponents of a South Dakota bill that would require the Ten Commandments be posted in all public school classrooms say it would be an unfunded mandate. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

A South Dakota House committee takes up a controversial bill today that would require all school districts in the state to display the Ten Commandment…


play sound

Virginia ranks third behind only Maryland and Delaware among the worst states for the average amount of back wages companies owe to their workers…

Environment

play sound

Some North Dakota school districts are part of a movement that has embraced electric school buses, but the federal funding shakeup carried out by the …


Florida immigrant advocacy groups are intensifying efforts to help undocumented individuals navigate encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. (David Peinado/Pexels)

Social Issues

play sound

Immigrant advocates in Florida are ramping up efforts to help families navigate President Donald Trump's new immigration orders, which have increased …

Social Issues

play sound

The rate of U.S. high school seniors seeking higher education is on the upswing, according to research from Lumina Foundation. Although Hoosier …

Gov. Kathy Hochul's free community college proposal would apply to people pursuing first-time associate degrees for jobs in high-demand fields, including nursing, teaching, technology and engineering. (Adobe Stock)

play sound

New York State is making historic higher education investments. As part of the 2026 budget proposal, Gov. Kathy Hochul proposes free community …

Social Issues

play sound

Gov. Josh Shapiro's proposed state budget includes a significant increase for public education to address Pennsylvania's school funding issues and …

Social Issues

play sound

Alabama nonprofits are coming together to tackle challenges that may threaten their survival, from declining donor support to shifting federal …

 

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