Growing Concern: Kids In New York Are Missing Dental Appointments

It looks there are quite a few kids in New York that are missing out on their dental check-ups and that isn’t good. After all, keeping their teeth in top shape is incredibly important beginning at a young age.

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Statistics show that that nearly a quarter of missed appointments are from kids aged 0-18. It looks like that the teenagers are really good (or is it bad) at dodging their visits to the dentist.

The Numbers Don't Lie

The teens, especially the ones that are 18-year-olds, skipped out on over 6,400 appointments in 2024. However the youngsters aged 17, 16, 15, and 14 totaled over 20,000 no-shows.

Why the No-Shows?

So why are they doing this? Apparently it is because of family stuff, forgetfulness, sickness, school commitments, and even dental fear are some of the reasons. We need to find ways to get our kids back in those dental chairs for the sake of their smiles!

A Dentist’s Wise Words

Dr. Walton is a dentist who says that early dental visits are very important in preventing future oral issues. Kids should ideally visit the dentist by their first birthday or when that first tooth shows up. Regular visits help spot the problems early, prevent cavities, and get kids started on good oral care habits.

Let's Help Our Kids!

How can we make those dental visits less scary? Dr. Walton suggests creating positive experiences, practicing relaxation techniques, pretending to be the dentist at home, and scheduling appointments when kids are feeling their best.