Proportion of First Nations children 0 to 11 years living on reserve, by dental treatment needs according to primary caregivers’ perceptions, Canada, 2002/2003 and 2008/2010
Source: CICH graphic created using data adapted from the First Nations Regional Longitudinal Health Survey (RHS) 2008/10, National report on adults, youth and children living in First Nations Communities. https://fnigc.ca/sites/default/files/docs/first_nations_regional_health_survey_rhs_2008-10_-_national_report.pdf -accessed July 27, 2017.
In 2002/2003, the main reason First Nations children aged 0 to 11 years living on reserve visited a dentist was for a check-up or a cleaning.
Restorative treatments such as filling cavities tend to increase as children age.
The number of First Nations children age 0 to 2 living on reserve having dental extractions increased from 3.9% in 2002/2003 to 13.3% in 2008/2009. Restorative treatments for this age group also increased significantly from 9.5% to 21.4%.
Implications
Healthy baby teeth are required for chewing food, developing speech and communicating, and for ensuring there is adequate space in the jaw for adult teeth. However, early signs of tooth decay often go unnoticed or untreated because of the misconception that because baby teeth are not permanent, they do not require extensive oral health attention.1 As such, as children age and their permanent teeth begin coming in, oral treatment needs increase.
1BC Aboriginal Childcare Society. (2007).