Bailey the beaver lost her teeth when hit by a car, then grew a new set under the care of the veterinary clinic at Washington State University. But you probably already knew that, because the story drew local and national media attention.

Gaining less attention was the depressing results of the 2005 Smile Survey of the dental health of children in Spokane County. It showed that the rate of tooth decay is higher than it was 12 years ago. No, we don’t think those numbers would be lower if Bailey had avoided that car, but the low level of attention given to childhood dental health is part of the problem.

Access to dental care for children has increased over the years and dentistry itself has improved, with new products and procedures to prevent and battle decay. Plus, an increasing number of dentists and dental hygienists are donating their services.

Yet the high levels of decay persist, especially in low-income households. As Kim Thorburn, health district officer for the Spokane Regional Health District, said at the time the survey was released, “Parents may not know that their children are eligible for dental services. We hope they will give us a call to find out what services are available.”

The district has two programs for children: Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD) and the Access to Baby and Child Dentistry “Expanded” (ABCD “E”). So perhaps part of the problem is getting the word out.

But it isn’t the only problem. Voters remain resistant to the idea of fluoridation, shooting it down multiple times at the polls though it has proved to be helpful in other communities. The Smile Survey turned up better results in King County, where the water is fluoridated.

Fluoridation has its drawbacks, but the fears about it are overblown. The purported risks and dangers have yet to surface in Cheney or Fairchild Air Force Base, where the water is fluoridated. Opponents have seized on a recent National Research Council report that advises the EPA to lower the level of fluoridation that is deemed healthy. But the suggested level is still much higher than is used in community fluoridation systems.

Nonetheless, the political reality is that this preventive step won’t be adopted anytime soon. So other strategies must be pursued. The Panhandle Health District has reported the lowest levels of tooth decay by far in Idaho. The district credits its longstanding program of providing fluoride rinses in public schools.

So a stronger partnership between schools and public health entities might help. But even then, parents have to get past the psychological barriers – such as embarrassment – and accept help. A child with decaying teeth is going to miss school, have trouble concentrating, lose confidence and be at risk for other diseases.

While society haggles over the best way to extend care, parents have to take responsibility and seek the help that is available. The rest of us can spread the word about dental programs and advocate for more preventive measures, so that future Smile Surveys don’t elicit frowns.