Grant: Applied Public Health Chair - LOI

Oral health is an important part of overall health. Oral health problems in childhood can influence well-being throughout the life course. Surgery for caries (tooth decay) is currently the leading reason for day surgery among children under age six in Canada. Caries are generally preventable, and one means of prevention is fluoridation of drinking water. Although drinking water fluoridation has existed for more than sixty years, there is only limited knowledge about the impact of fluoridation on children's oral health, whether or not fluoridation is equitable in its impact on children's oral health, and what attitudes members of the public hold about fluoridation. This program of research aims to fill these knowledge gaps. My research findings will be important in terms of identifying the best ways to improve oral health in the population, especially because dental health is not included as part of our health care system. This research is a collaboration between a population and public health researcher at the University of Calgary, and the Provincial Dental Public Health Office at Alberta Health Services.