In the United States, tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease. It affects one in four elementary school children and two out of three adolescents. Nationally, children lose 51 million school hours each year because of dental problems.

Since 1998 the mission of PRASAD Children’s Dental Health Program (PRASAD CDHP) has been to improve the dental health of children by providing comprehensive, high-quality dental services through education, prevention, detection, and treatment.

PRASAD CDHP addresses the dental needs of children who come from low-income families in Sullivan County and parts of Ulster County, New York. Dental services include cleanings, fillings, x-rays, extractions, sealants, cavity prevention, fluoride treatment and restorative dental care treatment. Every year the program serves more than 4,500 children by providing dental health education classes and dental services. Since its inception, PRASAD CDHP provided over 89,000 Toothbrushes, received 29,800 dental visits and performed more than 94,000 dental procedures.