Study: 1 in 5 kids don't see dentist each year

At least one in five U.S. children go without annual dental care and most states lack key policies to ensure access to cost-saving preventive treatments, according to a study released Tuesday by the Pew Center on the States.

Six states received an "A" grade from the non-profit policy analysis group for their dental health policies. But even children in those states have problems accessing care, the report said.

"Americans will be spending $106 billion on dental care this year," said Shelly Gehshan, director of the Pew Children's Dental Campaign. Much of that care pays for costly treatments such as fillings and root canals, which have their origins in poor childhood dental care, she said.

"F" states: Met only one or two policy benchmarks

• Florida