Brush, floss, rinse – and research

April is National Oral Health Month

Image: April is National Oral Health Month

Canadians in general have good oral health. In fact, according to the Canadian Health Measures Survey, 84% of Canadians report good or excellent oral health and 3 in 4 see a dentist regularly.

But the future is not all smiles. Research shows a disparity in oral health care among vulnerable populations in Canada, including seniors, aboriginals and people with low-incomes. These people are largely represented in the one third of Canadians who do not have dental insurance.

With support from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), however, researchers across the country are working to close the gap and improve access to dental care. They are also developing new products to prevent, diagnose and treat oral health problems.

"There is growing evidence of the link between oral health and overall health," says Dr. Jane Aubin, Scientific Director of CIHR Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (CIHR-IMHA). "By funding research, we aim to better understand this link, and we hope to ensure that all Canadians benefit from the excellent oral health care available in this country."

Here are a few examples of CIHR-supported research projects that are helping to improve the oral health of Canadians.

  • Working with decision makers to provide dental care to low-income children: Research conducted by Dr. Carlos Quionez at the University of Toronto on dental care and working poverty supported the creation of a new program that provides free dental care to children from low-income families in Ontario.

  • Increasing capacity to inform oral health policy: Dr. Joanne Clovis at Dalhousie University is working with researchers, policy makers and service providers to strengthen the capacity for making oral health policy in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador, with a focus on improving the oral health of seniors in those provinces.

  • Developing an early-warning system for gum disease: Dr. Michael Glogauer at the University of Toronto has developed an oral rinse for the detection of gum disease. The rinse can detect gum disease before it becomes visible, supporting early treatment and reducing the risk of health problems linked to gum disease, such as diabetes and heart disease.

CIHR-IMHA supports research, capacity-building and knowledge translation in the area of oral health.