May 10, 2010 – Ottawa – The Canada Health Measures Survey (CHMS) Oral Health component released by Health Canada today shows that Canadians’ oral health has improved since 1972. There has also been a large decline in the cavity experience of children from 1972 until today. For the first time in recent history the state of Canadians’ oral health has been formally studied in communities across the country and the results indicate that most of us experience good oral health. 84% of Canadians reported their oral health as good or excellent, and three in four Canadians see their dentist yearly.
A daily regimen of brushing and flossing is an important part of good oral health while equitable access to professional dental care is essential for diagnosis, prevention and treatment leading to good oral and general health.
The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) would like to thank Statistics Canada, Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada for conducting the CHMS including the Oral Health component carried out by the Office of the Chief Dental Officer with the help of the Department of National Defense.
“Canada has one of the best oral health care systems in the world,” said CDA President, Dr. Ron Smith. “The survey confirms our thinking – that Canadians in general have good oral health and benefit from regular visits to the dentist and from maintaining a regular routine of brushing and flossing. We are thrilled that the vast majority of Canadians are doing well and we will continue our advocacy efforts so that in the future even more than 84% of Canadians will report their oral health as good or excellent.”
The Summary Report and Technical Report can be found at: www.fptdwg.ca/English/e-documents.html
The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) is the national voice for dentistry, dedicated to the advancement and leadership of a unified profession and to the promotion of optimal oral health, an essential component of general health.
CDA Contact:
613-520-5013
media@cda-adc.ca
www.cda-adc.ca
More details about the Canada Health Measures Survey can be found at: www.statcan.gc.ca/concepts/hs-es/measures-mesures-eng.htm
Information on the Office of the Chief Dental Officer can be found at:
www.healthcanada.gc.ca/ocdo
www.santecanada.gc.ca/bdc
