HSC §104770: The Legislature finds that 95 percent of all children in California have dental disease in the form of dental caries and periodontal disease.

The Legislature finds that 95 percent of all children in California have dental disease in the form of dental caries and periodontal disease. Dental disease in childhood can and does result in significant lifetime disability, dental pain, missing teeth, time lost from school and work, and the need for dentures. Poor nutrition in childhood is a major contributing factor in lifetime dental disability. The cost of treating the results of dental disease is close to two billion dollars ($2,000,000,000) per year in California, of which approximately one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) is paid by the State of California for Denti-Cal treatment costs alone. The Legislature also finds that dental disease in children and the resultant abnormalities in adults can be prevented by education and treatment programs for children. It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this article to establish for children in preschool through sixth grade, and in classes for individuals with exceptional needs, preventive dental programs which shall be financed and have standards established at the state level and which shall be operated at the local level.