The Canadian Government have announced through its Canadian Institutes of Health Research organization that they are committing $2million to support improved research into oral health science. The hope is that this investment will improve dental health for Canadians. The announcement has been met with positive reactions.
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) has announced a large investment of $2million into supporting Canada’s national research network to advance research in oral health science and ultimately improve dental care for Canadians [1].
The importance of oral health cannot be understated. It is closely linked with physical health. For example, research has showed that people with oral health conditions like gum disease are at a higher risk of developing conditions like Arthritis, Diabetes and Cardiovascular conditions [2].
Therefore, this investment will be very positive for Canadians, who will hopefully benefit from the enhanced research in years to come.
Announcement
The announcement was made by Rachel Bendayan, Member of Parliament for Outremont. Bendayan’s announcement was also linked to the Minister of Health, Jean-Yves Duclos [1].
They announced that an investment of $2million over five years will take place [1]. The money will be used to support Canada’s research into improving oral health science.
The funds will be assigned to The Network for Canadian Oral Health Research (NCOHR), which is a group of various institutions, hospitals and healthcare providers [1].
They are all teaming to find new discoveries, launch new projects and strengthen existing techniques and methods of improving and maintaining oral health.
The network will be using some of the funds to support the training of the next generation of oral health workers and researchers. They have committed to focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion [1].
Partnership with Statistics Canada
Moreover, some of the investment will be used in forging a partnership with Statistics Canada. The CIHR will partner with Statistics Canada to develop an oral health data platform that will assist with research and policy development [1].
This platform will be used to display data from the Canadian Health Measures Survey. Therefore, this will allow researchers to to analyze the connection between oral and physical health further [1].
The platform will be able to help researchers and future trainees learn more about the oral health of Canadians, which can benefit overall oral health across the nation.
Reactions
Reactions to this announcement have been positive. There is a feeling that this investment will be very worthwhile, due to the long-term boost this will have on healthcare.
Jean-Yves Duclos – Minister of Health – was among those to spearhead this investment. He commented by saying that the research that the investment will make possible will help to “improve dental care by better understanding oral health conditions and developing more effective treatments” [1].
Dr. Ana Miriam Velly of the NCOHR, mentioned that “there is no healthy body without oral health” [1]. Continuing, she said that the investment will help the NCOHR to “promote and support oral health research excellence, which is critical to ensure a high level of oral health and care for all Canadians” [1].
The Good that this can do
This investment is likely to be very positive for Canadians. There is a lot of good that this can do, and it comes at an important time.
Statistics show that in 2018, almost 1 in 4 Canadians didn’t see a dental professional [3]. When a person avoids the dentist, any problems they have worsen, causing further issues.
Other barriers to dental care include a lack of awareness of oral health importance, cost and access issues. However, these issues can be tackled by enhanced investment.
This investment will run in conjunction with the national dental care plan that is due to begin imminently. This dental care plan will see the government investing over $5billion over a five-year period.
With appreciation of the importance of oral health at an all-time high, now is the perfect time for further investment into research. Consequently, the aim is for Canadians to see a marked improvement in their oral health over the forthcoming years and generations.
Thinking points…
1) The fact that the Canadian government is dedicating a large amount of funds to oral health shows how important it is. This is a good opportunity for you to take a look at your oral health, is there more you could do to improve it? Why not set yourself a target of cutting down on sugar, or flossing on a more regular basis? These are small changes that could make a very positive difference!
2) As has been mentioned, oral health is very important. In order to get an accurate overview of your oral health, make sure you regularly attend dental check-ups. You should ideally see your dentist twice a year. If any problems are present, they will be able to identify them, and suggest treatment if necessary. We strongly recommend that you book an appointment soon!
What we offer at Savanna Dental
Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients with a range of treatment options and advice aimed at improving oral health.
It is crucial to brush your teeth at least twice a day and to floss regularly. Moreover, eating healthily and trying to avoid sugary foods and drink is important.
We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a regular dental check-up. When problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals.
Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Many people find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.
In addition, all of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.
We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https:/savannadentalclinic.ca.
References
[1] Canadian Institutes of Health Research. (2022). Government of Canada invests in research to improve dental care for Canadians. Available: https://www.canada.ca/en/institutes-health-research/news/2022/10/government-of-canada-invests-in-research-to-improve-dental-care-for-canadians.html. Last accessed: 21st October 2022.
[2] BBC. (2022). The silent danger of deep gum disease. Available: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220707-why-bad-teeth-are-harmful-to-your-health. Last accessed: 21st October 2022.
[3] Canadian Dental Association. (2022). Canadian Dental Association Conducts Annual Days on the Hill Event. Available: https://www.cda-adc.ca/en/about/media_room/news_releases/2022/2022_DOTH.asp. Last accessed: 21st October 2
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