I just read the reply of the mother of the child with the decayed teeth. I was appalled at her reasoning. Decayed baby teeth are a medical issue also. Healthy baby teeth are essential for the overall health of the permanent teeth and the health of the child. Our baby teeth are there for a reason. They hold the place for the adult teeth and the decay could not only be in the tooth area but also in the gum and bone tissue. Sick baby teeth can also mean sick adult teeth. They are not just temporary teeth. Eating sugar is a factor but so is the fact a child should have someone cleaning his/her teeth until that child is eight. I have a five-year-old who eats her share of sugary food, and I brush her teeth twice a day. She sees the dentist twice a year. There are resources, besides a rich benefactor, that the family could be utilizing in order to make sure their children are well taken of. Also can this child eat properly? This can also hinder the development of jaw structure and so many problems. Your children come first. Everything else will follow. Cyndi

For low income families, there are options. Healthy Kids comes to mind, & I am sure other states have something similar. What do they do for medical care for their child? Dental is typically included in care!