GAINESVILLE - Dentists claim that one in four, third graders need dental care, and there's a program in North Central Florida that's trying to provide care to students.

One hundred third graders were getting their teeth checked at Idlywild Elementary in Gainesville.

It's the second year Dr. Scott Tomar and his team has worked with the Alachua County Oral Health Coalition. 

"From school board to many, many health organizations, they have all come together because they have recognized the oral health problems that need attention," Tomar said.

Tomar says students in the northwest region of Alachua County have less tooth decay. 

Tomar says he sees more students from the southwest and southeast portions of the county with higher levels of tooth decay. 

The reason, Tomar says is because of socioecnomic status and access to a dentist. Those areas tend to have fewer dentists who are willing to take on unisured patients.

The data collected would allow Tomar to target which schools need medical attention.