Summertime is always a busy time for dental offices, as schedules tend to be more flexible when kids are out of school – this is very true for The Super Dentists – but for some families the visit is more urgent. California Department of Education requires a dental health screening to register for school. Students enrolled in kindergarten in a public school, or in first grade if not previously enrolled in kindergarten, to present proof of having received an oral health assessment within 12 months of initial enrollment.

“Many things influence a child’s progress and success in school – children must be healthy to learn and children with cavities are not healthy,” said Dr. Kami Hoss, co-founder of The Super Dentists. “Cavities are preventable, but they affect more children than any other chronic disease!

“Baby teeth are very important – they are not just teeth that will fall out. Children need their teeth to eat properly, talk, smile and feel good about themselves. Children with cavities may have difficulty eating, stop smiling, and have problems paying attention and learning at school,” added Dr. Hoss.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, in California, one in five children have dental decay on seven or more teeth, while more than half of California kindergartners have dental decay, which has become the most common chronic disease in children today. This staggering statistic is more widespread than childhood obesity, asthma, and diabetes. California children also miss 874,000 days of school every single year due to dental problems.

“Cavities indicate a bacterial imbalance which can be a sign of serious health issues,” adds Dr. Hoss. “Pain, lack of sleep, and poor nutrition are symptoms of undetected dental problems which can slow a child’s progress in school. We don’t want there to be a barrier for good oral health.”

All kids entering the public school system in California are required to have, and show proof of, an oral health exam. “By the time California’s children reach third grade, 70% have tooth decay, causing them to miss 51 million hours of school!” said Dr. Hoss.

The Super Dentists has six locations in San Diego County, including: Eastlake, Chula Vista, Kearny Mesa, Carmel Valley, Oceanside and Escondido.

The Super Dentists are passionate about kids and education and offer regular complimentary dental hygiene presentations to local schools. The 30-minute presentations feature puppets and visual aids and are appropriate for Pre-K through fifth grade, plus each child receives a goody bag to take home. Teachers can schedule their complimentary presentation by emailing [email protected].

The Super Dentists mission is to reinvent and transform dentistry. Since 1996, Dr. Kami Hoss, DDS, MS and his wife and business partner, Dr. Nazli Keri, DDS, have built The Super Dentists into the largest, most trusted, and top awarded Pediatric Dentistry, Teen & Adult Dentistry, and Orthodontics for all ages in San Diego. All their dentists are specialists, and The Super Dentists use the latest in dental technology to make children’s dental visits more comfortable. Its superhero-themed offices feature lounges with games and movies, all created with the goal of creating positive associations with going to the dentists.

For more information on The Super Dentists, visit www.TheSuperDentists.com, and follow on Tiktok, Instagram, and FaceBook. To schedule an appointment, call or text 1 (855) GO SUPER (467-8737).