First Nations and Metis peoples' access and equity challenges with early childhood oral health: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Inequities in early childhood oral health are evident amongst Indigenous peoples and communities in Manitoba, Canada. Early childhood caries (ECC) is decay in primary dentition in children under 6 years of age. A severe form of the disease occurs at a higher rate in Indigenous populations compared to the general population. ECC has been strongly associated with social determinants of health. METHODS: Focus groups and sharing circles were conducted with four First Nations and Metis communities in urban and rural communities in Manitoba. There were eight groups in total of purposively sampled participants (n = 59). A grounded theory approach guided thematic analysis of audio recorded and transcribed data. RESULTS: Indigenous participants experienced challenges similar to those found in the general population, such as encouraging and motivating parents and caregivers to establish regular oral hygiene routines for their children. However other challenges reported, disproportionately affect Indigenous communities. These include poor access to dental care, specifically no dental offices within 1 h driving radius and not having transportation to get there. Not having evidence-based oral health information to support good oral hygiene practices, preventing parents from making the best choices of oral hygiene products and oral health behaviours for their children. Poverty and food insecurity resulting in poor nutritional choices and leading to ECC. For example, feeding children sugary foods and beverages because those are more readily avialble than healthy options. Confusing or difficult encounters with dental professionals, highlighted as a factor that can erode trust, reduce compliance and impact continued attendance at dental offices. CONCLUSION: Closing existing early childhood oral health gaps for First Nations and Metis peoples and communities requires equity-oriented healthcare approaches to address specific problems and challenges faced by these populations. Family, community and systemic level interventions that directly implement community recommendations are needed.

The association of body mass index and severe early childhood caries in young children in Winnipeg, Manitoba: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Associations between body mass index (BMI) and caries have been reported. AIM: To evaluate the direction of the relationship between BMI and severe early childhood caries (S-ECC). DESIGN: Children were recruited as part of a larger prospective cohort study assessing changes in nutritional status following dental rehabilitation under general anaesthetic. Pre-operative anthropometric measurements were used to calculate BMI z-scores (BMIz). Operative reports were reviewed to calculate caries scores based on treatment rendered. Analysis included descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and simple and multiple linear regression. RESULTS: Overall, 150 children were recruited with a mean age of 47.7 ± 14.2 (SD) months; 52% female. Over 42% were at risk for overweight, overweight or obese. Although simple linear regression demonstrated a significant positive association between dmfs score and BMIz, adjusted multiple linear regression found no significant relationship between BMIz and dmfs, but highlighted a relationship between BMI z-score and family income, Registered First Nations Status and physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: Although a significant relationship between BMI and S-ECC was not found, poverty was a key confounding variable. As both S-ECC and obesity are known predictors of future disease, it is important for healthcare professionals to identify children at risk. Diet and behaviour modification may play a role in disease prevention.

The Relation Between Periodontal Disease and Vitamin D.

BACKGROUND: There is conflicting evidence regarding the association between vitamin D and periodontal disease. The purpose of this study was to explore that relation. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used data from the Canadian Health Measures Survey for respondents 13-79 years of age. Vitamin D status was determined by measuring plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations. Periodontal disease was defined by gingival index (GI) and calculated loss of attachment (LOA). Statistical analyses included bivariate tests and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: At the bivariate level, 25(OH)D concentrations below the cutoff levels of 50 nmol/L and 75 nmol/L were associated with GI. However, multiple regression analyses for GI revealed no association with mean 25(OH)D level or either concentration. Although no significant association between LOA and 25(OH)D status was identified at the bivariate level, a statistically significant association was observed between LOA and 25(OH)D levels < 75 nmol/L on multiple regression analysis. However, mean 25(OH)D concentrations and those < 50 nmol/L were not associated with LOA on multiple regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D status was inversely associated with GI at the bivariate level, but not at the multivariate level. Conversely, vitamin D status was not associated with LOA at the bivariate level, but it was inversely associated with LOA at the multivariate level. These results provide modest evidence supporting a relation between low plasma 25(OH)D concentrations and periodontal disease as measured by GI and LOA.

DENTISTS' PERSPECTIVES ON THE MANITOBA DENTAL ASSOCIATION'S FREE FIRST VISIT PROGRAM.

BACKGROUND: In 2010, the Manitoba Dental Association implemented the Free First Visit (FFV) program to provide access to dental screenings for children under 3 years of age and promote the concept of the age 1 dental visit. In this article, we report on dentists' views of the program. METHODS: This qualitative study included 3 focus groups held in Winnipeg, Canada. An interview guide was developed to structure discussions. RESULTS: Thirty dentists participated. They were extremely supportive of the FFV program and its continuation. Promoting early visits and providing parents with anticipatory guidance were some reasons dentists participated. The most common reason for not participating was that dentists were already providing free dental care for children. Dentists viewed the goals of the program as increasing public awareness of the importance of early dental visits, establishing dental homes, educating parents, identifying early signs of caries and increasing children's level of comfort in the dental clinic. They indicated that the FFV program prompted some parents to take their children earlier than they might have otherwise. They said that most FFVs were provided to families who were already part of their practice. According to participating dentists, most parents were unaware of the FFV program and did not know about the age 1 visit recommendation. Dentists recommended that the FFV program concentrate on promoting the first visit by age 1 message with the free component as a secondary message. Participants recommended increasing general dentists' involvement in the program as most FFVs are currently provided by pediatric dentists. CONCLUSIONS: Most dentists participating in this study were supportive of the FFV program and advocated its continuation in Manitoba.

Association between iron status, iron deficiency anaemia, and severe early childhood caries: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Severe tooth decay is known to affect the health and well-being of young children. However, little is known about the influence of Severe Early Childhood Caries (S-ECC) on childhood nutritional status. The purpose of this study was to contrast ferritin and haemoglobin levels between preschoolers with S-ECC and caries-free controls. METHODS: Children were recruited as part of a larger case-control study examining differences in nutritional status between those with and without S-ECC. Preschoolers with S-ECC were recruited on the day of their dental surgery, while caries-free controls were recruited from the community. Parents completed a questionnaire and the child underwent venipuncture. The study was approved by the University's Health Research Ethics Board. Statistics included descriptive, bivariate and logistic regression analyses. A p value ≤ .05 was significant. A total of 266 children were recruited; 144 with S-ECC and 122 caries-free. RESULTS: The mean age was 40.8 ± 14.1 months. The mean ferritin concentration for all children was 29.6 ± 17.9 µg/L while the mean haemoglobin level was 115.1 ± 10.1 g/L. Children with S-ECC were significantly more likely to have low ferritin (p=.033) and low haemoglobin levels (p>.001). Logistic regression analyses revealed that children with S-ECC were nearly twice as likely to have low ferritin levels and were over six times more likely to have iron deficiency anaemia than caries-free controls. CONCLUSIONS: Children with S-ECC appear to be at significantly greater odds of having low ferritin status compared with caries-free children and also appear to have significantly lower haemoglobin levels than the caries-free control group. Children with S-ECC also appear to be at significantly greater odds for iron deficiency anaemia than cavity-free children.

Vitamin D status of children with severe early childhood caries: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Severe Early Childhood Caries (S-ECC) affects the health and well-being of young children. There is limited research in this area, though evidence suggests that children with S-ECC are at an increased risk of malnutrition. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and S-ECC. METHODS: This case-control study was conducted from 2009 to 2011 in the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. 144 preschool children with S-ECC were recruited from a local health centre on the day of their slated dental surgery under general anesthetic. 122 caries-free controls were recruited from the community. Children underwent a blood draw for vitamin D (25(OH)D), calcium, parathyroid hormone, and albumin levels. Parents completed an interviewed questionnaire assessing the child's nutritional habits, oral health, and family demographics. Analyses included descriptive and bivariate statistics as well as multiple and logistic regression. A p value ≤ 0.05 was significant. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 40.8 ± 14.1 months. Children with S-ECC had significantly lower mean 25(OH)D (68.9 ± 28.0 nmol/L vs. 82.9 ± 31.1, p < 0.001), calcium (p < 0.001), and albumin (p < 0.001) levels, and significantly higher parathyroid hormone (p < 0.001) levels than those caries-free. Children with S-ECC were significantly more likely to have vitamin D levels below recognized thresholds for optimal and adequate status (i.e. < 75 and < 50 nmol/L, respectively). Multiple regression analysis revealed that S-ECC, infrequent milk consumption, and winter season were significantly associated with lower 25(OH)D concentrations. Low 25(OH)D levels, low household income, and poorer ratings of the child's general health were significantly associated with S-ECC on logistic regression. CONCLUSION: Children with S-ECC appear to have relatively poor nutritional health compared to caries-free controls, and were significantly more likely to have low vitamin D, calcium, and albumin concentrations and elevated PTH levels.

Dentist's views on a province-wide campaign promoting early dental visits for young children.

INTRODUCTION: The Canadian Dental Association recommends that children have their first visit to a dental professional no later than 12 months of age. In 2010, the Manitoba Dental Association launched the Free First Visit (FFV) program to increase access to early visits in the province. The purpose of the study reported here was to survey dentists about their views on the FFV program and to gain an understanding of their attitudes and practice patterns relating to the oral health of infants and toddlers and first dental visits. METHODS: A survey was mailed to registered general and pediatric dentists in Manitoba according to a modified Dillman methodology. Dentists were asked about their views on the FFV, their knowledge of early childhood oral health and the timing of first dental visits. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses and logistic regression analyses were performed. A p value of 0.05 or less was considered significant. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 63.2% (375 eligible responses out of 593 surveys mailed). The majority of respondents were men (255/373 [68.4%]), and most respondents were general dentists (355/372 [95.4%]). A total of 63.5% (231/364) felt that the FFV program improved access to care, 64.6% (223/345) believed that public awareness of young children's oral health has increased, and 76.2% (266/349) thought that the FFV initiative should continue past the planned end date of March 31, 2013. On average (± standard deviation), respondents thought that the first dental visit should occur at 18.1 ± 10.0 months, but in their practices, they actually recommended a slightly older age (18.9 ± 10.4 months). Compared with results from a previous survey, conducted in 2005, dentists who responded to this survey recommended that children have their first visit at a significantly younger age. A greater proportion of dentists reported seeing children 12-23 months of age in their practices than in the past (81.9% vs. 73.7%). CONCLUSIONS: A majority of dentists who responded to the survey approved of the FFV program and thought it should continue. Although these dentists recommended early first dental visits, the average age recommended by respondents was 6 months later than the target age of 12 months. It appears that, over time, dentists are becoming more aware of prevention and management techniques relating to infants and toddlers.

Impact of a regional acute care surgery model on patient access and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The consolidation of acute care surgery (ACS) services at 3 of 6 hospitals in a Canadian health region sought to alleviate a relative shortage of surgeons able to take emergency call. We examined how this affected patient access and outcomes. METHODS: Using the generalized linear model and statistical process control, we analyzed ACS-related episodes that occurred between 39 months prior to and 17 months after the model's implementation (n = 14,713). RESULTS: Time to surgery increased after the consolidation. Wait times increased primarily for patients presenting at nonreferral hospitals who were likely to require transfer to a referral hospital. Although ACS teams enabled referral hospitals to handle a much higher volume of patients without increasing within-hospital wait times, overall system wait times were lengthened by the growing frequency of patient transfers. Wait times for inpatient admission were difficult to interpret because there was a trend toward admitting patients directly to the ACS service, bypassing the emergency department (ED). For patients who did go through the ED, wait times for inpatient admission increased after the consolidation; however, this trend was cancelled out by the apparently zero waits of patients who bypassed the ED. Regionalization showed no impact on length of stay, readmissions, mortality or complications. CONCLUSION: Consolidation enabled the region to ensure adequate surgical coverage without harming patients. The need to transfer patients who presented at nonreferral hospitals led to longer waits.

CONTEXTE: Le regroupement des services chirurgicaux d'urgence (SCU) dans 3 hôpitaux sur 6 d'une région sanitaire canadienne visait à contrer une relative pénurie de chirurgiens capables d'effectuer les interventions d'urgence. Nous en avons analysé l'impact sur l'accessibilité des services et sur les résultats chez les patients. MÉTHODES: À l'aide du modèle linéaire généralisé et d'un contrôle statistique des procédés, nous avons analysé les cas adressés aux SCU entre 39 mois précédant et 17 mois suivant l'entrée en vigueur du regroupement des services (n = 14 713). RÉSULTANTS: L'intervalle avant l'intervention chirurgicale s'est allongé après le regroupement des services. Les temps d'attente ont principalement augmenté pour les patients qui consultaient dans un hôpital de premier recours d'où ils étaient susceptibles d'être réorientés vers un hôpital de référence. Même si les équipes des SCU ont permis aux hôpitaux de référence de gérer un volume beaucoup plus important de patients sans augmentation du temps d'attente à l'hôpital même, le temps d'attente dans son ensemble s'est prolongé à l'échelle du système en raison de l'accroissement du nombre de transferts. Les temps d'attente pour les hospitalisations ont été difficiles à interpréter parce qu'on avait tendance à admettre les patients directement aux SCU, en contournant les services d'urgences. Pour les patients qui passaient par les urgences, les temps d'attente pour une hospitalisation ont augmenté après le regroupement; toutefois, cette tendance a été compensée par l'attente pour ainsi dire nulle des patients qui contournaient les services d'urgence. La régionalisation n'a exercé aucun impact sur la durée du séjour, les réadmissions, la mortalité ou les complications. CONCLUSIONS: Le regroupement a permis à la région d'assurer une couverture chirurgicale adéquate sans nuire aux patients. La nécessité de réorienter des patients vers les hôpitaux de référence a contribué à prolonger les temps d'attente.

Children's Oral Health Initiative: workers' perspectives on its impact in First Nations communities. / Initiative en santé buccodentaire des enfants : le point de vue des intervenants quant à ses effets dans les communautés des Premières Nations.

INTRODUCTION: Since 2004, the Children's Oral Health Initiative (COHI) has been working in many First Nations and Inuit communities in Canada to address oral health disparities, specifically early childhood caries (ECC). The COHI community-based approach improves early childhood oral health (ECOH) by balancing prevention with minimally invasive dentistry. The goal is to reduce the burden of oral disease, mainly by minimizing the need for surgery. We investigated program success in First Nations communities in the province of Manitoba, from the perspective of COHI staff. METHODS: First Nations community-based dental therapists and dental worker aides participated in three focus groups and an in-depth semistructured interview. The collected data were thematically analyzed. RESULTS: Data from 22 participants yielded converging and practitioner-specific themes. Participants reported that dental therapists and dental worker aides provide access to basic oral care in their communities including oral health assessments, teeth cleaning, fluoride varnish applications and sealants. The participants agreed that education, information sharing and culturally appropriate parental engagement are crucial for continuous support and capacity building in the community programs. Low enrolment, difficulty accessing homes and getting consent, limited human resources as well as lack of educational opportunities for dental worker aides were identified challenges. CONCLUSION: Overall, the participants reported that the COHI program positively contributes to ECOH in First Nations communities. However, increased community-based training for dental workers, community awareness about the program, and engagement of parents to facilitate culturally appropriate programming and consent processes are critical to improving program outcomes.

Improvement in Serum Vitamin D Following Dental Rehabilitation to Treat Severe Early Childhood Caries.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels in children with severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) following rehabilitative surgery using general anesthesia (GA). Methods: Children with S-ECC were recruited on the day of surgery for a prospective study investigating changes in nutritional status and well-being before and after surgery. Venipunctures for 25(OH)D were performed while children were in the operating room, and parents completed a questionnaire regarding nutritional intake, oral health, quality of life, and family demographics. Participants returned at a minimum of three months for a follow-up venipuncture, questionnaire, and dental examination. Analyses included descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable regression analyses. A P-value of ≤ 0.05 was significant. Results: Overall, 150 children participated, with a mean age of 47.7±14.1 months. The mean baseline 25(OH)D concentration was 49.8±16.9 nmol/L, with 17 percent having deficient levels. Overall, 106 returned for follow-up. Paired t-tests revealed significant improvements in the mean 25(OH)D levels following rehabilitation (50.1±17.1 nmol/L versus 61.2±18.7, P<0.001). The proportion with optimal and adequate 25(OH)D levels increased from 9.2 percent to 24.1 percent and from 48.3 percent to 67.8 percent, respectively, while those classified as deficient decreased from 17.2 percent to 8.1 percent from baseline to follow-up. Conclusions: Significant improvements in vitamin D concentrations were observed following dental rehabilitation. This provides additional evidence of the association between oral health and nutritional status.

Indigenous community members' views on silver diamine fluoride to manage early childhood caries.

OBJECTIVES: Early childhood caries (ECC) continues to be the leading reason for pediatric dental surgery in Canada and is particularly prevalent among Indigenous children. Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) offers an alternative method to manage non-restoratively caries. It is important to determine Indigenous communities' views on and receptivity toward SDF. AIM: To understand Indigenous community members' views on pediatric dental surgery to treat ECC under general anesthesia (GA) and receptivity to SDF as an alternative to restorative surgery. METHODS: Focus groups and sharing circles congruent with an Indigenous ways of gathering information were conducted. Three interviewers engaged eight groups of First Nation and Metis communities in three rural Indigenous communities and ne metropolitan urban setting in Manitoba, Canada. Overall, 59 individuals participated. Open coding was guided by grounded theory and further analysis using Nvivo 12 software™. RESULTS: Participants mean age was 35.6 years, 88 percent (52 individuals) had a least one child, and 32 percent (19 individuals) were employed. Eight themes emerged, including respondents' fear of dental surgery under GA, fear of pain after dental surgery, parents' need for more information before accepting SDF treatment, and concern about the black staining of treated lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Indigenous parents' acceptance of SDF as a treatment option is contingent on having more information and assurance that treatment under GA can be avoided. Understanding Indigenous parents' views may ensure better acceptance of SDF as a minimally invasive treatment option to manage ECC. A cautious and informative approach to SDF implementation in Indigenous communities is recommended.

Oral Health-Related Quality of Life of Canadian Preschoolers with Severe Caries After Dental Rehabilitation Under General Anesthesia.

Purpose: The purpose was to determine changes in the oral health-related quality-of-life (OHRQoL) of children with severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) following dental rehabilitation under general anesthesia (DRGA). Methods: This prospective cohort study involved caregivers completing questionnaires, including the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS). Data analysis included descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, effect size, and multiple linear regression. Results: Initially, 150 children were enrolled, mean age of 47.7±14.2 (SD) months. The baseline mean total ECOHIS score was 6.3±5.3. Higher baseline ECOHIS scores were associated with single-parent families, low-income house-holds, higher decayed, missing, and filled primary teeth (dmft) scores, and having extractions (P ≤ 0.05). Multiple linear regression results showed low household income (P=0.01) and the child not having Registered First Nation status (a specific population of Indigenous Canadians; P=0.03) were significantly and independently associated with higher total baseline ECOHIS scores. At follow-up, 103 children had a mean total ECOHIS score of 3.5±2.9 versus a baseline score of 6.3±5.4. Change in total ECOHIS and three of four Child Impact Section domains showed significant improvement (P<0.001) post-DRGA. Worse follow-up ECOHIS scores were only associated with the child being male (P=0.02). Conclusions: Improvements in oral health-related quality of life were observed following DRGA. Consideration should be given for using the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale to help prioritize children waiting for DRGA. (Pediatr Dent 2019;41(3):221-8) Received November 22, 2018 | Last Revision February 28, 2019 | Accepted April 1, 2019.

Caregiver knowledge and attitudes of preschool oral health and early childhood caries (ECC).

OBJECTIVES: Prevention strategies are integral to improving the oral health for young Aboriginal children. For such to be effective, it is important to understand the social value that parents and caregivers ascribe to primary teeth. The purpose of this paper is to report caregiver knowledge and attitudes toward preschool oral health and early childhood caries (ECC) from 4 communities in Manitoba. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study, including a retrospective interview with caregivers. METHODS: Children and their main caregivers served as the sample. Preschoolers underwent a comprehensive dental screening while caregivers completed a questionnaire that explored knowledge and attitudes toward preschool dental health. Caregiver responses were matched with findings from each child's examination. RESULTS: A majority agreed that primary teeth were important, that dental disease could lead to health problems and that a first dental visit should be made by age 1. Caregivers of children with ECC were more likely to believe that caries could not affect a child's health while those who believed primary teeth are important had children with significantly less decay. CONCLUSIONS: Most caregivers believed that primary teeth are important and correctly responded to inquiries about knowledge and attitudes toward oral health. Attitudes on the importance of baby teeth and bottle feeding after one year of age, the effect of rotten teeth on childhood health and night-time nursing emerged as variables most associated with the absence/presence of ECC and deft rates. Incorporating such questioning into caries risk assessments may be a useful means to determine a child's risk for ECC.

Parents' and caregivers' perspectives on the Manitoba Dental Association's Free First Visit program.

OBJECTIVES: The Free First Visit (FFV) program was implemented in 2010 to promote early preventive dental visits for children <36 months of age in Manitoba, Canada. The purpose was to understand parents' and caregivers' perspectives on the program. METHODS: Three focus groups with 21 participants were conducted in Winnipeg, Canada using an interview guide in this qualitative study. RESULTS: Most participants were aware of the FFV program and the appropriate age for a child's first visit. Almost all agreed with the recommendation to see a dentist by one year of age. Some reported that general dentists advised them to bring their child after three years of age. Participants appreciated that the program was free, and some noted that the program made them aware of the appropriate age for a first visit. About half of the participants had taken their child for a FFV. Reasons for not taking their child for a FFV included: nothing wrong with their child's teeth, they believed there was still time as their child was not three years old, they had government insurance, child's temperament, and feelings of apathy. There were mixed opinions regarding whether the program was helping those who needed it the most. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of participants liked the FFV program and believed that it should continue. Parents would benefit from further education and encouragement to seek oral care for their child by age one. Some general dentists may need further training and skills to meet the recommendations for first dental visits.

Sexually transmitted disease thresholds in Manitoba, Canada.

PURPOSE: Persistence of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in a population is due to the activities of a small proportion of the population with STI, who transmit infection on average to one or more susceptible sex partners during an infectious period. Within these groups, the average number of transmissions by infectious people to susceptible people in a closed group is measured by the reproductive number; a threshold, above which endemic infection is likely occur and below which, in the rest of the population, it is unlikely to occur. We hypothesized that people with repeated bacterial STI's and their sex partners include the theoretical core group and that they differ from singly infected noncore individuals. METHODS: Data on infected individuals and nominated sex partners for the years 1990-1992 were extracted from the notifiable disease and health insurance registries in Manitoba, Canada. Individuals with repeated gonorrhea, chlamydia and coinfected infections were compared using logistic regression, and reproductive numbers were calculated using sex partner data. RESULTS: Of the three groups, the coinfected were youngest, and they were largely of aboriginal descent and had the lowest incomes. Repeaters were older; they had higher incomes, and there were fewer aboriginal people in this group. Chlamydia repeaters had even higher incomes, and this group comprised the least number of aboriginal people. The reproductive numbers showed the same gradient; (1.09, 1.01, and 2.41, respectively.) CONCLUSIONS: These data show that these groups do not contribute equally to STI endemicity and indicate that sexual network structure affects epidemic thresholds.

Prevalence of caries among preschool-aged children in a northern Manitoba community.

BACKGROUND: Early childhood caries (ECC) is a devastating form of dental decay affecting many Canadian children, especially those from northern First Nations communities. ECC is multifactorial in origin, and the notion that the principal etiology is inappropriate feeding modalities is no longer tenable. METHODS: This study was conducted in the community of Garden Hill First Nation, Manitoba, to assess the prevalence of dental decay in young children, to assess risk factors for ECC and to determine the influence of vitamin D supplementation (a modified form of stosstherapy using 100,000 IU vitamin D), both prenatally and at 6 weeks of age, on the oral health of children. The study involved a cross-sectional dental examination of children, an interview with mothers and a maternal chart review. RESULTS: A total of 98 children participated: their mean age was 46.4 +/- 6.3 months. The mean number of decayed, extracted and filled teeth (deft) was 13.7 +/- 3.2. Caries rates were significantly greater among children who had had sugar added to the feeding bottle. Behaviours typically associated with ECC and caries activity, such as poor oral hygiene and late weaning from the bottle, were also exhibited among residents. Although 50% of children had enamel hypoplasia, no statistically significant differences in the amount of enamel hypoplasia and caries were found between those who received modified stosstherapy and those who did not. Not receiving stosstherapy was associated with later eruption time of the first primary tooth (7.2 vs. 5.0 months). Interviews revealed that, during pregnancy, many of the mothers only infrequently consumed foods rich in calcium and vitamin D, elements that are essential to the development of strong bones and teeth. CONCLUSIONS: The mean deft for these First Nations preschoolers was high and 50% had enamel defects. Although daily vitamin D supplementation of 400 IU during pregnancy has been known to reduce primary tooth enamel defects, the supplementation previously administered to participants in this study was not found to result in reduced enamel defects or caries. The high caries burden among children from this community reveals the need for effective prevention methods. It is important for pediatricians, family physicians and other health service providers encountering very young children and expectant mothers to be cognizant of ECC and its ramifications, as their education efforts represent the first line of defence.

Determinants of early childhood caries (ECC) in a rural Manitoba community: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: Preschool oral health is often overlooked as an important aspect of childhood health and well-being. The purposes of this study were to: (1) determine the dental status of 3-year-old children in the community of Carman, Manitoba, Canada; and (2) identify the principal determinants of Early Childhood Caries (ECC) in 2 consecutive years. METHODS: All children and mothers attending a preschool health screening fair were invited to participate. Study procedures included a retrospective interview with parents and dental examination of the child. Statistical analyses included ANOVA, chi-square, and multiple regression. A P value of <.05 denoted significance. RESULTS: A total of 61 children participated (mean age=45.7+/-3.4 months). The prevalence of ECC was 44%, while the mean deft was 2+/-3.3. Increased caries activity and ECC were associated with lower maternal level of education (P<.01). Family size was associated with deft scores (P=.03) while the presence of debris was also associated with ECC (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: ECC prevalence among these 3-year-olds is less than exhibited among other Canadian preschool children. Factors associated with ECC included debris on the primary teeth and low maternal education. Factors most associated with increased caries activity included low maternal education and increased family size. In addition, parents were able to reliably assess their child's dental health status. Larger epidemiological studies of ECC are needed to better assess prevalence and risk factors. Such data may, therefore, assist in identifying those children at greatest risk for ECC. It may also help in the redirection of scarce resources to effective preventive oral health interventions, as these children have an increased caries burden along the continuum of childhood.

Review of vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy: who is affected?

OBJECTIVES: Vitamin D deficiencies have been documented in several populations, including aboriginal Canadians from isolated northern communities. Such deficiencies can impact the health of both the mother and her infant. This review was performed to determine how widespread vitamin deficiency is during pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: Electronic literature search. METHODS: A Medline search was conducted using the Mesh terms "pregnancy" and "vitamin D". Those studies meeting the inclusion criteria were reviewed. RESULTS: 35 of 76 studies reported deficient mean, or median, concentrations of 25(OH)D. Low concentrations were reported among different ethnic groups around the world. In addition, deficient concentrations were identified in 3 northern First Nations communities in Manitoba. CONCLUSIONS: Such deficiencies are of concern, as the developing fetus acquires its 25(OH)D across the placenta and may influence infant health. Future research is required to resolve the discourse surrounding ambiguous threshold values for vitamin D deficiencies and insufficiencies and to identify effective strategies to improve the vitamin D status of expectant women. Vitamin D supplementation may be necessary for many women during pregnancy, especially those in northern regions where endogenous synthesis may be constrained.

Plasma lipids in two indigenous Arctic populations with low risk for cardiovascular diseases.

The distribution of plasma lipids and their sociodemographic and metabolic correlates were investigated in two Arctic indigenous populations based on two health surveys conducted during 1990-1991 among adults in eight Inuit communities in the Keewatin region of the Northwest Territories, Canada (n = 387), and in four communities in the Chukotka region in the Russian Far North (n = 362). For comparison, data from the Canadian Heart Health Survey were used. The age-sex-specific mean total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol levels among Inuit in northern Canada either do not differ significantly from the Canadian national population, or, in the case of younger Inuit women, are higher than in Canadians. This represents a temporal change from the results of earlier studies. Chukotka Natives tend to have the lowest total cholesterol (TC) and LDL values of the three populations. The two indigenous populations still enjoy considerably lower levels of triglycerides (TG) and higher levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol than observed in Canada, with the exception of younger Inuit women whose mean TG levels are not significantly different from those of Canadians. The proportion of individuals at risk for ischemic heart disease because of high TG (≥2.3 mmol/L) is 20% among Canadian men but only 2% and 0% among the Arctic Natives, and 11% among Canadian women compared to 6% and 3% in the Keewatin and Chukotka regions, respectively. Such sociodemographic factors as education and marital status do not have a substantial and consistent effect on plasma lipid levels. Women with higher education have lower HDL (in Keewatin) and higher TG (in Chukotka), significant only at the 0.10 level. Among Chukotka men those who reported a lineage without nonindigenous admixture have a higher HDL level (P = 0.048). No difference between the admixed and nonadmixed can be found in the Keewatin. Smoking status has no significant effect on any of the lipid fractions in either population. The two Arctic populations demonstrate an association of some plasma lipids with blood pressure and indices of obesity and central fat patterning commonly observed in other populations. However, plasma glucose does not increase in tandem with increasing levels of lipids, contrary to that observed in the general Canadian population. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The home environment of Métis, First Nations, and Caucasian adolescent mothers: an examination of quality and influences.

This longitudinal exploratory study compared maternal psychosocial, situational, and home-environment characteristics at 4 weeks and at 12-18 months postnatal for a convenience sample of 71 Métis, First Nations, and Caucasian adolescent mothers. The combined group of Métis/First Nations mothers had significantly higher infant-care emotionality scores than the Caucasian mothers at 4 weeks. The Caucasian mothers scored considerably higher on quality of the home environment; a refined multiple regression model containing infant-care emotionality, education level of the infant's maternal grandmother, ethnicity, and enacted social support explained 49% of the variance, with significant influences being infant-care emotionality and grandmother's education level.