VSDA Reaches Out to Charlestown Community

The national average for early childhood caries (ECC) is 5%, according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The average in one local community, however, is up to four times that number.

In response to this alarming statistic from the city of Chelsea, Massachusetts, two BUSDM faculty members recently conducted a seminar to educate local dental professionals about ECC. The seminar, held in July and attended by 15 dental health professionals, was conducted by Dr. Dara Cunnion, assistant professor of general dentistry and pediatric dentistry and director of the Predoctoral Pediatric Dentistry Program and Corinna Culler, clinical instructor and dental hygienist in the Division of Community Health Programs.

“We were there to try to address some of the questions dental professionals had about ECC, and to inform them about where to refer patients, new techniques to utilize in their practices, and preventing transmission of bacteria from mother to child,” says Cunnion.

Cunnion’s presentation identified some causes of ECC and discussed treatment and prevention. Culler provided additional information and statistics about ECC nationally and in the community.

The seminar was sponsored by an American Academy of General Dentistry grant.