Children with urgent dental needs require dental treatment. Without adequate treatment, there is a risk of developing infections and oral diseases. Oral diseases can lead to poor nutrition and negatively impact a child's quality of life due to pain, and chewing and speech problems. Research shows that people with chronic infections in the mouth are more likely to have health problems such as heart disease, stroke, pneumonia, and chronic respiratory disease.[1]
| Children screened who are identified as having urgent dental needs |
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.[2] Public health units provide screening to all students in junior kindergarten, senior kindergarten, and grade 2 in all public, private and parochial schools. Urgent needs include pain, trauma, lost restoration, and dental caries (i.e., cavities) that, if left untreated, will lead to pain or infection. Key FindingsIn 2018-19, a higher percentage of kindergarten students screened in Dufferin (1.9%) and Guelph (1.9%) had urgent dental needs compared to students in Wellington (0.9%). A higher percentage of grade 2 students screened in Dufferin (3.2%) had urgent dental needs compared to students in Guelph (1.8%) and Wellington (1.1%). The percentage of kindergarten and grade 2 students with urgent dental needs decreased slightly between 2014-15 and 2018-19 in all geographies (not shown in graph). This data can be found in the downloadable Excel file at the bottom of this page.
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Source: Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph School Screening Program Statistics, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, July 18 2019. LimitationsThis data provides a snapshot of the most vulnerable children when it comes to oral health. A child may be identified with decay, missing or extracted, or filled (dmf/DMF), but it may not be considered an urgent need. Additionally, while parents/guardians are notified if an urgent need is identified during the school screening, this data does not show if those needs are addressed by a dental care provider or publicly-funded dental program in the future.
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[1] Locker, D., & Matear, D. (2000). Oral disorders, systemic health, well-being and the quality of life. Community Dental Health Services Research Unit, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, 8.
[2] 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)