January 20, 2010 – Ottawa – The Canada Health Measures Survey (CHMS) Oral Health component preliminary data indicates an improvement in Canadians’ oral health in the last 20 years. The number of Canadians who reported they had no natural teeth (were edentulous) has declined since 1990.
The Canada Health Measures Survey (CHMS) Oral Health component was conducted during 2007-2009 and the preliminary findings show that since 1990 many more of us have our own teeth. In 1990, 17% of the population had no teeth of their own. This rate has now declined to only 6.6% of the population aged 20-79 reporting they had no teeth of their own.
“This is good news. Most Canadians have access to excellent oral health care,” said current Canadian Dental Association (CDA) president Dr. Don Friedlander, “which can lead us to take for granted that a small percentage of the population do lose their teeth and that their lives are greatly affected by this, especially when dental care is not available. The oral health report will help us understand the strengths and weaknesses of our oral health system so that we can define solutions and fill potential gaps.”
The CHMS Oral Health comprehensive report is scheduled to be released in the spring of 2010. This initial data has been released in January as preliminary findings:
www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82-625-x/2010001/article/11087-eng.htm
www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/100113/dq100113a-eng.htm
www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82-625-x/82-625-x2010001-eng.htm
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.ca/english/concepts/hs/measures.htm
www.statcan.ca/francais/concepts/hs/measures_f.htm
Information on the Office of the Chief Dental Officer can be found at:
www.healthcanada.gc.ca/ocdo
www.santecanada.gc.ca/bdc
