Grant: Embedded Clinician Researcher Salary Award - Oral health care

Significant oral health disparities exist in Canada. Nowhere is this more evident than among children from vulnerable populations including low-income households, First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples, refugees and recent immigrants, and children living in rural and remote regions of the country. Unfortunately, poor access to oral health care for our youngest members of society often manifests itself as early childhood caries (ECC). Further, we know that those who then develop severe forms of ECC and require comprehensive dental surgery face additional barriers to accessing timely dental care under general anesthesia. Increasing access to early oral health care for vulnerable groups of children is critical in order to curb the incidence of ECC. My clinical background, research training and life experiences along with my research focus are perfectly aligned with this CIHR opportunity as it relates to the oral health of vulnerable populations. Since good oral health during early childhood sets the foundation for a lifetime of optimal dental and total health, my proposed program of research aims to improve access to oral health care for young children at-risk for ECC and improve oral health care delivery for children requiring dental surgery to treat their ECC. My vision as an embedded clinician research includes 4 elements: 1) Research that strives to improve the oral health status and oral health quality of life of our youngest members in society by focusing on ways to improve access to oral health care and oral health care delivery; 2) Mentorship that builds capacity for future oral health and health services research and clinical leadership; 3) Integrated knowledge translation and exchange; and 4) Collaborations and partnerships with health system organizations and decision-makers to bridge the gap between research, practice, and policy.