2.2 Socioeconomic Factors

The following socioeconomic factors increase a child’s risk for tooth decay:

• Living in a community without optimally fluoridated water.
• Being from a family with low income.
• Being from certain racial and ethnic groups.
• Having limited or no dental insurance.
• Having parents with less than a high school education.

Fact   

Children from families with low incomes experience more tooth decay, more extensive tooth decay, and more pain and suffering from tooth decay than children from families with higher incomes.