PROVIDENCE – There is both good news and bad news when it comes to oral health of children in Rhode Island, according to a report released by Rhode Island Kids Count on Monday.

Dental decay remains a significant public health problem for local children, particularly for those who are a racial minority or live in low-income families.

One of four children surveyed during the 2010-2011 school year had tooth decay that was untreated and needed dental treatment, according to the R.I. Department of Health.

Further, minority children and children in schools with higher eligibility status for meal programs were found to be five or six times more likely to have rampant decay – more than six untreated decay or filled teeth – than their peers.

On the brighter side, RIte Smiles, a program for children receiving Medicaid, has boosted the number of children with access to routine dental care. Since its inception in 2006, when there were only 27 dental providers who offered care to children with Medicaid coverage, there are now 202 dentists in more than 380 locations who are delivery dental services to children with Medicaid coverage, according to Elizabeth Burke Bryant, executive director of Rhode Island Kids Count.

“Insurance status is a strong factor in determining whether or not a child receives dental care,” said Jill Beckwith, policy analyst at Rhode Island Kids Count and co-chair of the Rhode Island Oral Health Commission. “Dental insurance is still not available to many working families in our state. In 2009, half of Rhode Island employers reported offering dental insurance to full-time employees and 15 percent offered it to part-time employees.”

One of the recommendations made by Rhode Island Kids Count is a renewed focus on workforce recruitment and retention for high-quality dentists, hygienists and assistants.

In 2010, there were 614 actively practicing licensed dentists in Rhode Island, with a large number nearing retirement age. Of those, 44 percent were 55 years of age or older, and 16 percent were over the age of 65.

“Rhode Island must focus on developing ways to retain dental care providers already practicing in our state and to attract new providers,” said Lt. Gov. Elizabeth H. Roberts. “Expanding the dental workforce is a key way to increase access to dental care by children and families.”