Improving children’s oral health in populations at risk saskatchewan ministry of health

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Saskatchewan Ministry of Health

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Improving Children’s Oral Health in Populations at Risk

Saskatoon Oral Health CoalitionNovember 3, 2010

POPULATION HEALTH BRANCH

Building a Healthier Saskatchewan

Sooner, Safer, Smarter: A Plan to Transform the Surgical Patient Experience

4 year plan is based on 5 objectives:

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Building a Healthier Saskatchewan

Objectives:• Shorter waits for surgical care• A better experience for patients and

families• Safe, high quality care• Support for good health• Patient centred providers.

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Building a Healthier Saskatchewan

Support for Good Health

• Tobacco Strategy• Healthy Weights • Injury Prevention• Oral Health Initiative for Populations at

Risk.

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BUILDING A HEALTHIER SASKATCHEWAN

• Oral health is increasingly recognized as an important component in overall health and wellbeing.

•• Yet Early Childhood Tooth Decay remains the Yet Early Childhood Tooth Decay remains the #1 chronic childhood disease in Canada.#1 chronic childhood disease in Canada.

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BUILDING A HEALTHIER SASKATCHEWAN

•• Each year approximately 1,800 children Each year approximately 1,800 children under the age of five undergo dental under the age of five undergo dental surgery under general anaesthetic surgery under general anaesthetic –– more frequently than any other cause.more frequently than any other cause.

•• Hundreds more are placed on long Hundreds more are placed on long waiting lists for as long as 12waiting lists for as long as 12--18 months.18 months.

•• 43% of all paediatric surgeries under GA 43% of all paediatric surgeries under GA for children under 6, were dentally related for children under 6, were dentally related

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Building a Healthier Saskatchewan

• PHB focus will be on upstream interventions related to improving oral health through prevention and education.

• Involves exploring opportunities for collaboration with various partners who share our interest in reducing dental decay in young children.

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Building a Healthier Saskatchewan

• While great strides have been made in reducing the high prevalence of dental disease certain segments of the population are left behind – primarily people with low socioeconomic status, Aboriginal Populations, recent immigrants and vulnerable populations.

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Building a Healthier Saskatchewan

Canadian Oral Health Strategy Guidelines for 2010 • By age 6, 50% of children have never

experienced tooth decay and no more than 20% have unmet dental needs.

• In Saskatchewan 41% have never experienced tooth decay and 27% have unmet dental needs.

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Building a Healthier Saskatchewan

Goal:To reduce dental decay and contribute to the healthy development of at risk mothers, infants and preschool age children.

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Building a Healthier Saskatchewan

• Project Charter completed• Consultations underway• Researching Best Practice Guidelines and

resources from other provinces etc.

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Building a Healthier Saskatchewan

Consultations and opportunities for collaboration planned with:

• Health Canada – COHI Programs• Regional Health Authorities – Dental Health

Educators and other public health staff• Dental community – dentists, dental therapists,

dental hygienists, dental assistants. • NITHA, FNIH

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Building a Healthier Saskatchewan

Focus will be on preventing dental disease through:

• early screening and referral of disadvantaged moms and children.

• Enhanced preventive services.

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Building a Healthier Saskatchewan

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Building a Healthier Saskatchewan

Early Childhood Tooth Decay (ECTD)• Caused by a bacterial infection• About 27% of children by age 6 have unmet

dental treatment needs in Saskatchewan• About 10-15% have ECTD; particularly

prevalent in at risk populations.

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Why Are Children’s First Teeth So Important ?

• Eating• Speaking• Smiling• Positioning of

permanent teeth• Self-Esteem• Improved overall

health

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Building a Healthier Saskatchewan

• Major causes of ECTD– Poor oral hygiene habits– Putting your baby to bed with a bottle and

staying on the bottle past age one– Drinking from a bottle or training cup all day– Snacking too often on sweet foods and drinks– Lack of access to dental care and prevention.

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Early Childhood Tooth Decay ECTD

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Building a Healthier Saskatchewan

• Impact on health– Pain and infection– Failure to thrive– Poor nutrition– Affects speech, ability to concentrate, sleep– Self esteem and willingness to smile– Spacing and alignment of permanent teeth– Leads to poor oral health as an adult.

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Building a Healthier Saskatchewan

• Extensive dental treatment on very young children can be challenging for dental practitioners.

• Often treatment involves a trip to the hospital for general anaesthetic

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General Anaesthetics

in Saskatchewan

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Building a Healthier Saskatchewan

Treatment of Choice

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Building a Healthier Saskatchewan

• The good news is …..

Tooth decay is preventable

Working with parents and children at a young age can help create a lifetime of healthy teeth

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Building a Healthier Saskatchewan

Preventive Services could include:

• Screening & risk assessment (prenatal and ages 0-2)

• Education and counselling • Fluoride Varnish treatments• Support related to access to care• Promotion of community water fluoridation

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Building a Healthier Saskatchewan

Potential Resource Needs• Fluoride varnish supplies• Train the trainer resources• Education resources• Prevention & Promotion resource

development

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Start brushing early ….

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Building a Healthier Saskatchewan

“Lift the Lip”

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Brushing can be fun or a challenge!

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Fluoride Varnish Application

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Making Healthy Eating Choices Easier

• Food choices are influenced by knowledge, tradition & social circumstances, availability and cost.

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Eating Nutritional Foods can be Fun!

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TEAMWORK

Teamwork

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Developing Happy / Healthy Children

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Happy Children Make Happy Parents!

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The Balance of 

Good Health

Healthy Body

Healthy Mouth

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Building a Healthier Saskatchewan

One smile at a time.

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Building a Healthier Saskatchean

Questions?