Dental caries, also known as tooth decay or cavities, are one of the most common diseases among children.[1] Cavities are caused by bacteria in the mouth. If left untreated, cavities can lead to pain and discomfort in the mouth, difficulty eating, and lack of sleep.[2] Research shows that children from low-income and food insecure homes are less likely to have access to nutritious foods and visit a dentist, and are at higher risk for dental caries.[3]
Junior kindergarten students screened with decay, missing/extracted or filled teeth |
About the MeasureData for this measure is collected from the Oral Health Information Support System (OHISS) Surveillance Database, used by public health units to support oral health screening and surveillance.[4] Public health units provide screening to all students in junior kindergarten, senior kindergarten, and grade 2 in all public, private and parochial schools. The data includes children who were screened with decay, missing or extracted, or filled (dmf/DMF) teeth. The term “dmf” refers to decayed, missing, or filled baby teeth, while “DMF” refers to decayed, missing, or filled permanent (adult) teeth. Data represents the number of junior kindergarten students who were identified with at least one dmf/DMF tooth. Key FindingsDuring the 2018-19 school year, rates of tooth decay among junior kindergarten students were similar across Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph. Between the 2015-16 and 2018-19 school years, the percentage of junior kindergarten students with tooth decay increased in Wellington and decreased in Dufferin. Guelph rates remained relatively stable. This data can be found in the downloadable Excel file at the bottom of this page.
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Source: Mobile Oral Health Information Support System (OHISS) Surveillance Database, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, Extracted July 19, 2019. LimitationsThis data shows the percentage of children who were screened with at least one dmf/DMF tooth. It does not show the number of dmf/DMF teeth. As a result, the severity of tooth decay cannot be interpreted from this data.
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[1] King, A. (2012). Oral health - more than just cavities. Toronto, ON: Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Available at: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/common/ministry/publications/reports/oral_health/oral_health.pdf
[2] Association of Public Health Epidemiologists in Ontario. (2015). Early childhood tooth decay. Available at: http://core.apheo.ca/index.php?pid=158
[3] Chi, D. L., Masterson, E. E., Carle, A. C., Mancl, L. A., & Coldwell, S. E. (2014). Socioeconomic status, food security, and dental caries in US children: mediation analyses of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007-2008. American journal of public health, 104(5), 860-864.
[4] Simcoe Muskoka Health Stats. (n.d.). Ontario health information systems (OHISS). Available at: http://www.simcoemuskokahealthstats.org/resources/data-sources/oral-health-information-support-system-(ohiss)