Canada News
Nearly 100 Northeast Calgary children participated in free dental screening
Local dentists and hygienists found that 42% had visual dental decay
(CALGARY, AB) A free dental screening was hosted by Calgarians For Kids’ Health on Sunday June 23rd, 2019 from 11:00 am-1:00 pm in the Genesis Centre.
Event highlights and stats:
- Total attendance: 250
- Total children screened: 97
- Percentage of children with existing fillings: 18%
- Percentage of children with visual dental decay: 42%
- Percentage of children who had not visited a dentist in the last year: 42%
- Percentage of families without dental coverage: 34%
- Percentage of parents who were not aware that Calgary’s water supply was not fluoridated to a therapeutic level: 65%
- Attendees received oral care information (in multiple languages), translation services, and free dental care products.
“It was great seeing dental professionals dedicate their time and skills to help educate Calgarians about oral health and community water fluoridation. I was surprised to see how many parents were unaware that the City of Calgary ceased water fluoridation in 2011 — and how concerned they became once being told. – Sajjad Fazel, Research Associate, Alberta Health Services.
“The discussions City Council has been having about the health of our citizens — be it oral health, or last week, mental health — seem to be driven more by politics and less about producing positive, evidence-based outcomes for Calgarians. Everything is being kicked up to the province as of late, when community water fluoridation is something municipalities, including our own, have figured out how to do for decades. I’m hopeful that the trusted work the O’Brien Institute for Public Health is doing proves helpful for Councillors in understanding the science when they report to Council on July 24th. For our economy, for our environment, for our health, we must be a pro-science city.” – Jason Ribeiro, community advocate.
