Feb 25, 2009 4:25 pm US/Eastern
Program Provides More Dental Care To Children
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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Deamonte Driver died from a tooth infection that wasn't treated.
WJZ
Two years ago, Maryland and the nation were shocked to learn that a local child died from an untreated tooth infection. But the death of Deamonte Driver inspired a campaign to provide pediatric dental care to all children.
Suzanne Collins explains a lot has been accomplished, but much more is planned.
Darya Tanzymore, 7, only had to put up with a cleaning at University of Maryland's Dental School. Her brother wasn't so lucky. He had a tooth pulled because it just couldn't be saved.
"Darius came in with an abscessed tooth and it was due to a cavity that got large. It affected the pulp and so we had to take that because it would be bad for his health," said Dr. Norman Tianoff, University of Maryland.
Deamonte Driver, 2, died from a similar tooth infection that wasn't treated. That death touched the heart of a congressman who grew up poor and remembered tooth pain and not going to the dentist.
"You put the Orajel in the tooth if it hurt. If that didn't work, you took the toothpick, took a piece of cotton stuck in turpentine and stuck cotton in your mouth," said Congressman Elijah Cummings.
The congressman kicked off an effort to make sure no more children would die over a problem tooth.
A task force made sure more dentists would treat children on Medicaid. Reimbursement rates were raised. Now, they want to improve the program's reach even more.
A big part of this campaign is education for parents to tell them that a child's tooth condition, if it goes untreated, can lead to much more serious consequences.
"We know far too many children, 30% in Maryland and over 50% of Head Start children in Maryland, have untreated cavities," said John Colmers, Maryland Secretary of Health.
Congressman Cummings says Deamonte Driver could have had his life saved by an $80 dental treatment.
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