skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Sunday, July 21, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

VP Kamala Harris says she plans to 'earn and win' Democratic nomination after Joe Biden drops out and endorses her; New Alabama bill threatens voter rights, legal challenge ensues; Fact-checking GOP claims on immigrants; Water contamination a concern in Midwest flood aftermath.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

President Joe Biden drops his 2024 re-election bid. He's endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to take his spot on the ticket, and election experts say they see benefits to this decision.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

It's grass-cutting season and with it, rural lawn mower races, Montana's drive-thru blood project is easing shortages, rural Americans spend more on food when transportation costs are tallied, and a lack of good childcare is thwarting rural business owners.

GA dental health experts stress importance of early prevention for children

play audio
Play

Monday, February 19, 2024   

February is Children's Dental Health Month and experts are urging parents to establish good dental health early.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cavities are the most common chronic disease in children across the nation.

Paul McConnell, dental director for UnitedHealthcare, said while tooth decay may not seem significant for baby teeth, it can lead to issues with permanent teeth, speech and overall health. He stressed the importance of helping children build a consistent dental routine.

"It's so much harder to start developing habits when kids are six, seven, eight years old because you're introducing something that's different or something that's foreign," McConnell pointed out. "Starting when they're just born to a year old and then progressively adding flossing into that routine."

McConnell highlighted the importance of regular dental visits for children. He acknowledged access to dental care can be limited in rural areas but suggested community health centers, local colleges and dental schools as options for getting young people the care they need.

Clayton State University's dental clinic in Morrow is helping bridge the gap in access to dental care.

Heather Eddy, senior clinic director at Clayton State University, said it has been serving the community for 50 years, particularly assisting people with lower incomes or insufficient dental coverage. In celebration of Children's Dental Health Month, it is hosting a free dental clinic for kids aged 3-17.

"The services include the screening process, radiograph, their prophylaxis which is dental cleaning, and then fluoride and sealant," Eddy outlined. "We're really grateful to our partners at Patterson Dental for supplying a lot of the items that we'll be able to use this week."

Eddy emphasized the importance of regular dental checkups because some children may not express when they have dental issues, leaving serious problems untreated. She added caregivers play a vital role in establishing preventive habits. The clinic will be open from today through Friday.

Disclosure: UnitedHealthcare contributes to our fund for reporting on Health Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
Vice President Kamala Harris spoke at a political event in Grand Rapids, Mich., in early 2024. (The White House/Wikimedia Commons)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Vice President Kamala Harris focused on reproductive rights at a campaign event in Michigan Wednesday. Her remarks come as President Joe Biden has …


Environment

play sound

Construction could begin in Minnesota later this year in the final phase of one of the nation's largest solar energy developments, after state …

Social Issues

play sound

Thousands of educators from across the nation will be in Houston starting this weekend for the American Federation of Teachers annual convention…


The Illinois State Board of Education report card said O'Fallon Township High School HSD #203 is currently only funded at 64%. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

By Kristy Alpert for Arts Midwest.Broadcast version by Terri Dee for Illinois News Connection reporting for the Arts Midwest-Public News Service Colla…

Health and Wellness

play sound

Counterfeit medicine sales are on the rise, in Connecticut and nationwide. The state faced trouble with growing sales of counterfeit Xanax pills …

"Arizonans understand that it is insane to risk Phoenix or Tempe for Odesa or some corn field in Ukraine. It is not in our national interest to get involved," said U.S. Rep. Alexander Kolodin, R-Ariz. (Gage Skidmore / Flickr)

Social Issues

play sound

More than 2,400 delegates gathered in Milwaukee this week for the Republican National Convention and delegates from around the country, including …

Environment

play sound

So far, states like Wisconsin have largely escaped the worst of the summer heat affecting much of the nation but a group of scientists wants regional …

Social Issues

play sound

Postsecondary enrollment data for 2023 shows community college enrollment increased nationwide by more than 100,000 students, and a large percentage …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021