Calgary Paediatric Dentist Issues Warning Over Children’s Dental Health
A paediatric dental expert has warned that standards of oral health among children are declining, three years after a vote was taken to stop water fluoridation in the city.
Dr Sarah Hulland, a paediatric dentist, said that dentists all over the city are reporting an increase in the prevalence of dental decay, with many children affected by cavities. Dr Hulland said that there is a growing number of young children, some as young as 19 months old, with signs of decay and the decision to stop adding fluoride to the water supplies is a contributing factor. Fluoride is a mineral that can help to protect the enamel, reducing the risk of decay.
Dr Hulland also said that deteriorating standards of oral health among children are putting more pressure on health services, as young children who need teeth extracted are treated under general anaesthetic and therefore require hospital treatment. Waiting times for treatment have already increased from one month to three months.
Denise Kokaram, who oversees the Alex Dental Health Bus Scheme, has witnessed similar problems and claims that there are hundreds of children living with dental pain as a result of decay. The bus tours schools in the city to provide dental treatment for children from low income families, and Ms Kokaram said that dentists regularly see children suffering from tooth pain, as well as a lack of self-esteem as a result of dental problems.
Dr Richard Musto, medical health officer, also expressed concerns at the state of the city’s dental health and has called for plans to reintroduce water fluoridation to be considered.
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