Dental Hygiene

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Oral Health Research Strategy

Recently, there is increased recognition by governments, health professionals and the public that treating oral disease is very expensive with spending on dental care in Canada reaching $16.4 billion in 2019, while inequalities in oral health remain significant and access to dental care is very challenging for many.  Here are some examples of this increased recognition:

  • In 2023 the WHO published its Global Oral Health Action Plan (GOHAP)
  • For the first time in 15 years the current, on-going Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) includes clinical, biological, and self-report indicators of oral health
  • December 2023 the Canadian government announced the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)
  • The Canadian Government has recently recognized the need to invest in the education and licensing of foreign trained health care professionals, including dentists, so the health care workforce can better address the needs of Canadians
  • Artificial intelligence (AI) is now being investigated and developed as a tool to aid both research and health care
  • Climate change is driving the search for more environmentally sustainable technologies and approaches to health care in Canada

As a result of this increased awareness, the inaugural Canadian National Oral Health Research Strategy (NOHRS) 2024-2030 is both necessary and timely. This NOHRS can help governments and decision-makers, funding agencies, researchers, health care practitioners, the public and others to focus on emerging issues for Canadians, as well as innovative technological approaches to address them.

The NOHRS is a collaborative initiative led by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (IMHA) under the leadership of Dr. Karim Khan, in partnership with various Canadian oral health professional organizations and research/academic institutions. The strategy was co-created by the oral health research community, health researchers from other disciplines, professional bodies, and patient and public partners.

From: National-Oral-Health-Research-StrategyEN_Draft_March08_2.pdf

Please watch the video below to find more information about the NOHRS.