SAN DIEGO -- 10News is opening up a phone bank on Wednesday, Sept. 14, to help promote a new campaign by the First 5 Commission of San Diego.

The campaign is aimed at teaching parents about the importance of caring for children's teeth and overall health, so their children can get a successful start in life.

Laura Spiegel of the First 5 Commission says dental care is especially important for children, aged zero to five, because, "we've learned that oral disease is actually the most prevalent disease among preschool age and younger age children."

Pediatricians and dentists recommend that children get their teeth checked as soon as they start coming in. But too often, that information is not getting to parents.

"Parents have every desire to raise their children in the best way possible, but if you don't know that it's important to bring your child to a dentist before age one ... then you can't help their children as early as (you) want to," says Spiegel.

Oral diseases affect both the teeth and the mouth. Bacteria that pass from parent to infant or child-to-child can cause the infections.

The results can range from cavities to painful abscesses, even to malnutrition. That's why the First 5 Commission stresses the importance of getting children to a dentist before age one.

But finding the right dentist, and finding ways to pay for it, are challenging for many families. As a result, the First 5 Commission is also helping to set up pediatric dental services in 11 community clinics and mobile units.

These convenient dental services will help bring better oral and health care right into the neighborhoods, and to the families that need them.

The phone bank will answer questions about Oral Health and Wellness, and give parents information on pediatric dentists, insurance and more. The phone bank will be available from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, and will be staffed by both English and Spanish speakers.

The numbers are 619-237-6309 or, for Spanish speakers, 888-261-9910.