Dentist Without Borders for Children



	Caring for Destitute Children!

Welcome!

Today most American children enjoy excellent oral health, but a significant subset suffers from a high level of oral disease. The most advanced disease is found primarily among children living in poverty, some racial/ethnic minority populations, disabled children, and children with HIV infection.

Tooth decay remains one of the most common diseases of childhood – 5 times as common as asthma and 7 times as common as hay fever.

The daily reality for children with untreated oral diseases is often persistent pain, inability to eat comfortably or chew well, embarrassment at discolored and damaged teeth, and distractions at play and learning.

More than 51 million school hours are lost each year because of dental-related illness.

One in four American children are born into poverty (annual income of $17,000 or less for a family of four.). Children and adolescents living in poverty suffer twice as much tooth decay as their more affluent peers, and their disease are more likely to go untreated.

GENESIS of DWBFC

A nine-year old student found himself in his school’s vice principal’s office (2002). His teacher was complaining that the student was inattentive in class with dismal failing grades, repeatedly off to the Nurse’s office, complaining of stomach aches. It turns out that the boy’s teeth were extremely decayed. It had become very painful for him to chew his food. As a consequence, he started to swallow his food whole, causing stomach aches. He was unable to concentrate during class. DWBFC believes this tragedy was absolutely preventable.

Treatment in DWBFC’s storefront clinic for the same student followed. In two years (2004), thanks to the work of DWBFC, he was on the honor roll.

The youth are our future. Society cannot ignore the plight of those who are unable to get Dental care for lack of Dental Insurance or do not qualify for Medical/Medicaid. DWBFC aims to continue providing care to the destitute HOMELESS children in the whole 50 States, by adding chapters.