Study Reveals Alarming Gap in School Dental Programs
New research shows children without prior dental visits are significantly less likely to receive school-based caries prevention.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open is exposing a troubling paradox in pediatric oral health: the children most at risk for dental caries are the least likely to receive preventive care.1
Analyzing data from more than 63,000 Medicaid-enrolled children in the Bronx, New York, researchers found that participation in school-based caries-prevention programs is strongly tied to prior dental care access. Children who had already seen an oral health professional were significantly more likely to enroll in these programs, while those with no dental visit history were 18% less likely to participate.
Even more concerning, children with a history of dental emergencies, arguably among the highest-risk groups, were also less likely to receive school-based preventive services. This highlights a critical gap in care delivery. School-based programs, which often rely on non-invasive treatments, are proven to reduce caries risk. Yet the opt-in nature of these programs may be unintentionally excluding the very populations they are designed to help.
The consequences extend beyond oral health. Pediatric dental issues account for more than 34 million lost school hours annually and are driving a rise in emergency department visits, many of which are preventable.1
The study also underscores a financial opportunity. Researchers estimate that improving outreach and enrollment among high-risk children could save up to $2.4 million annually in emergency dental care costs in New York alone.
As states invest in expanding school-based dental programs, the message is clear: access alone isn’t enough. Without targeted recruitment and engagement, prevention efforts may continue to miss the children who need them most. Click here to read the study.
Reference
- Huang SS, Ruff RR, Gold HT, Wang SS. School-based caries prevention programs and recruitment of high-risk pediatric Medicaid populations. JAMA Netw Open. 2026;9:e265996.
