This document discusses oral health in Saskatchewan from the perspective of the University of Saskatchewan College of Dentistry. It notes that oral health is integral to overall well-being and quality of life. Currently, oral health programming is underdeveloped and underfunded. The College of Dentistry aims to be the provincial resource for dental public health and community engagement. Its preferred future envisions expanded education, clinical, and outreach programs to improve oral health across Saskatchewan by better coordinating oral health professionals.

1. Oral Health in Saskatchewan
Present & Future
From the Perspective of the U of S College of Dentistry
Oral Health Coalition
Inaugural Meeting
May 26, 2010
Dr. Gerry Uswak

2. Present Tense

3. Health is a complete state of
physical, mental, & social well‐
being, & not just the absence of
infirmity WHO 1948

4. Health is a resource which
permits people to lead an
individually, socially &
economically productive life
WHO 1998

5. A fundamental human right
WHO 1998

6. Oral health means far more
than sound teeth; it is integral
to well‐being & quality of life

7. Dental Caries:
A Common Chronic Childhood Disease
Note: Data include decayed or filled primary &/or decayed, filled, or missing permanent teeth. Asthma, chronic bronchitis, & hay fever based on
report of household respondent about the sampled 5- to 17- year olds.
Source: NCHS 1996

8. Oral Health Disparity is Risk‐Based
Low socioeconomic status & ethnocultural groups
Suboptimal exposure to topical or systemic fluoride
Poor dietary & feeding habits
Children whose caregivers &/or siblings have caries
Active dental disease
Rural, remote & inner‐city
Seniors
Physically, medically & intellectually‐challenged

9. Oral health & general health
are linked by common risk

10. Oral disease is a neglected epidemic
Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General (2000)

11. Oral health programming is under‐
developed, under‐funded &
fractionated

12. Oral health professionals are
more concerned with marking
territory than trying to work
together to make a difference

13. …and we are too
quick to do
things for “free”
to escape being
labeled “rich
dentists”

14. …yet other health
care professionals
are unaware or
indifferent about
the importance of
oral health & the
role that they
need to play in
ensuring it

15. College of Dentistry
Programming

16. 112 total undergraduate students
2 general practice residency students

17. College of Dentistry
Programming
U of S
Dental
Teaching
Hospital
Royal
University
Hospital
Joint
Field
Clinics
(NSDT)
Communit
y Clinic
(SWITCH)
NOHSWG
Saskatoon
Health
Region

18. College of Dentistry
Patients
Working
Poor
Seniors
Special
Needs
Low
SES
Low SES
Children

19. Future Tense

20. Recognition
of the
epidemic

21. Oral Health Professionals
Public & Private Sectors
Dental
Hygiene
Dental
Therapy
Dentistry
Denturism
Dental
Health
Educators
Dental
Assisting

22. Government, Healthcare
& the Public
Oral Health Professionals
Public & Private Sectors

23. Provincial
Chief
Dental
Officer
Oral
Health

24. College of Dentistry Preferred Future
Focus on being the Provincial resource
for dental public health & community
engagement
Policy
Service
Research

25. College of Dentistry Preferred Future
Expanded infrastructure & programs
Degree program in Dental Therapy
Degree program in Dental Hygiene
Diploma program in Dental Assisting
Specialty program in Dental Public Health

26. College of Dentistry Preferred Future
RUN Program
Rural
Urban
Northern

27. College of Dentistry Preferred Future
Provincial Chief Dental Officer embedded
within College

28. College of Dentistry Preferred Future
New curriculum with increased
community‐based clinical service for
students
Field clinics
Westside Community Clinic
Rural clinics
Mobile clinics

29. College of Dentistry Preferred Future
Expanded General Practice Residency
program
Hospital‐based
Community‐based

30. College of Dentistry Preferred Future
Foreign‐trained dentist service program

31. College of Dentistry Preferred Future
The College of Dentistry as the key to
linking all oral health professionals to
improve the oral health of the Province

32. Thank you
&
Questions
gerry.uswak@usask.ca