Children’s Dental Health
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Issues/Needs: Service & Information Gaps

• There are too few dentists willing and able to sedate children
• Not enough providers accept Denti-Cal
• Prevention messages to children and parents are insufficient
• Regular oral exams and preventive measures need to begin earlier
• Spanish- and Vietnamese-speaking providers are in short supply
• Disabled and special needs children face unmet dental care needs
• Strengthened coordination is needed
• Accessibility to dentists should be improved

Spanish- and Vietnamese-Speaking Providers Are in Short Supply

Privately funded statewide initiatives focused on dental schools are under way to boost the "pipeline" of dental providers who represent the diversity of California's population.