NUNAVUT - Inuit organizations and dentists in the territory are biting down hard on the harsh reality that 70 per cent of about 1,200 Inuit in Canada need immediate dental care that is not available where they live, according to a recent survey.

The Inuit Oral Health Survey states that children surveyed between the ages of three and five have on average at least eight decayed, missing or filled baby teeth. This child has two decayed or missing baby teeth but many youth in Nunavut are so not lucky and do not have access to a dentist. - Emily Ridlington/NNSL photo

Health Canada, the Office of the Chief Dental Officer of Canada, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Nunavut Tunngavik and other parties across the North surveyed Inuit living in Nunavut, Nunatsiavut and the Inuvialuit Settlement Region as part of the Inuit Oral Health Survey in 2008-2009.

“People are not getting the prevention care, the check-ups and the regular fillings they need before it gets to the level when they have to lose their teeth,” said Natan Obed, NTI's director of social and cultural development.

Obed said one of his biggest concerns is the rate in the North for tooth extractions is about 20 times higher than for children in southern Canada.

The survey found that overall, children between the ages of three and five had at least eight decayed, missing or filled baby teeth. At the time of the survey, less than 30 percent of these teeth had been filled, and nearly half were still decayed. Overall, adults between the ages of 20 and 39 had a mean number of 15 decayed, missing or filled teeth.

According to the survey, 48 per cent of Inuit said they brushed their teeth at least two times a day, compared to 73.2 per cent of southern Canadians – and only 26.5 per cent of older adult Inuit said they brushed that often.

However, more Inuit (36.3 per cent) claimed to floss as compared to other Canadians (28.3 per cent).

The survey also found about one-half (49.8 per cent) of Inuit reported having visited a dental care provider in the last year compared to 74.5 per cent of southern Canadians.

In Nunavut visits to private clinics are paid for under Health Canada's Non-Insured Health Benefits Program. In 2008-2009, $8.3 million was spent in Nunavut under the program with $5.7 million of that for dental treatments. According to Health Canada, 12,501 Nunavummiut made claims in 2009/2010.

Dr. Steven Partyka, a dentist in Iqaluit since 2009 and in the North since 2005, said most individuals in the North do not go to the dentist and with the lack of exposure to dentists, many children are afraid of them..

“It's a very sad and disturbing thing to make dentures for a 17-year-old,” he said. "It shouldn't happen and they should be worried about going to the prom and not about their teeth."

There are two dentists in Iqaluit. Other dentists come from the south and travel to the communities for several days at a time. In the past, since regular check-ups were not possible, more teeth ended up being extracted.

Partyka said this is no longer the case, as in many cases fillings can solve the problem depending on what condition the tooth is in.

Obed and Partyka both said improving oral health comes down to prevention and continuing care.

Obed suggests looking at the Northwest Territories where specific programs have been developed to help parents encourage their children to brush their teeth.

“We need Inuktitut programs blanketing the population with this message as in the end it is preventable,” he said.

In 2009, the Government of Nunavut Department of Health and Social Service ran a Lift the Lip campaign with tips for parents and kids to promote good dental care. They distributed 18,000 kits with toothpaste, floss and toothbrushes across the territory to health centres, daycares and wellness programs.

A dental health manual geared at teachers and educators on children's oral health in English and Inuktitut was published in 2008.

“We anticipated dental needs would be high,” said Lisa Neish, territorial dental health specialist with the department.

Neish said depending on the community a dentist would be visiting for anywhere between 30 and 200 days, on average six trips a year lasting 10 days each. Such visits are announced on the radio and posters are put up.

If there is a dental emergency while a dentist is not in town, Neish advises people to go to the health centre and they may be referred to the nearest dentist by the NIHB either in Iqaluit, Yellowknife or Winnipeg.

Back at the dentist office, Partyka advises parents to bring their children in as soon as they have teeth and then twice a year thereafter.

“If you can get them brushing their teeth that habit will last a lifetime,” Partyka said.

ITK president Mary Simon stated in a press release other factors including high levels of tobacco use, food insecurity and overcrowded housing conditions also play a role.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.