November 3, 2006
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit has responded to a poor grade from the recent Sudbury Dental Health Report by announcing a new free dental service for children under 36 months. Fluoride Varnish will now be offered free of charge to protect children’s teeth during the crucial ‘baby tooth’ stage.
“We have one of the highest rates of dental disease among 3 and 4 year olds in Northern and Northwestern Ontario with 35% of four-year-olds having dental disease in need of treatment. Over 45% of our area schools are designated as high risk due to the documented incidence of dental disease,” explains Bill Campbell, acting Manager of Healthy Families at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. “With full implementation of this program, we would expect to see a significant decline in the rate of dental disease in our children along with a reduction of the number of schools designated as high risk.”
The treatment will be available free of charge during clinics open to children under 36 months. The ideal timing for the application is between 12-18 months. As many as 2000 children are currently eligible for this program. It will be available to the approximately 1500 children born in our region annually.
Fluoride varnish is a paint-on treatment different than the gel commonly used in dental offices for older patients. It is longer lasting and appropriate for younger children because the method prevents ingestion of the fluoride. Research shows up to a 35% decrease in dental disease is possible where the full program has been offered.
The announcement was made during a visit from Dr. Herenia Lawrence, DDS, MSc, PhD, Associate Professor from the Community Dentistry program at the University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry. Dr. Lawrence’s research attempts to statistically clarify the indications of reductions in dental disease seen where fluoride varnish programs are in place, particularly in communities north and west of Thunder Bay with a focus on the disparities between Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal children. This research is intended to assist government in policy development regarding preventative dentistry.
In 2007, the Fluoride Varnish Program will be offered in some day care settings and at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit preventive dentistry clinic. Appointments may be booked by calling 625-5984. Plans are being developed to offer this program in district communities currently served by our dental team. Clinics are hoped to be delivered when teams are in the communities providing screening services at area schools.
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