Children's Oral Health Initiative program's impact on First Nations and Inuit children.

Abstract

Objective: To review data from the Children's Oral Health Initiative (COHI) database from 2006 to 2016 to determine the impact of COHI on the oral health of registered First Nations and Inuit children in Atlantic Canada (AC), Saskatchewan, and Ontario.

Methods: Data from the national COHI database were analysed for children ages 0 to 7 years in participating Indigenous communities. The mean age of participants and the number of children participating in COHI, receiving a first dental screening, fluoride varnish applications, sealants, and atraumatic restorative therapy were evaluated. Participants were grouped into 3 age categories (0-2, 3-5, 6-7). The decayed, extracted, and filled primary teeth (deft) scores were calculated.

Results: Between 2006 and 2016, 80,574 children with an average age of 3.8 ±2.2 years participated in COHI in Saskatchewan, Ontario, and AC. The proportion receiving oral screenings, fluoride varnish, and sealants remained consistent over time. From 2006 to 2012, the number of participants receiving atraumatic restorative therapy increased in Saskatchewan and AC, and deft scores remained relatively stable with a marginal increase observed. This finding coincided with advancing age of children in all regions. Comparison of mean deft scores for children ages 0 to 7 years between 2006-2011 and 2012-2016 revealed an increase in Ontario and Saskatchewan. In AC, there was a significant decline in mean deft scores over the 2 time periods.

Conclusion: While no significant decreases in deft scores were identified, the findings suggest that children participating in COHI are receiving needed preventive services such as fluoride varnish and atraumatic restorative therapy.