Surveys play a vital role in ongoing efforts to monitor and improve oral health data in Canada. While widescale surveys are common in the modern day, initially, Canadian researchers had a lack of data due to a lack of surveys. However, this has changed, offering researchers enhanced insights and statistics that can guide policy decisions.
Between 1970 and 1972, Health Canada carried out the Nutrition Canada Survey. Over half a century later, this survey continues to impact modern day Canada.
The survey provided insight into the oral health of Canadians and helped to contribute towards the updated version of Canada’s Food Guide [1].
While the survey was meant to be repeated on a periodic basis, this unfortunately did not occur. However, this changed in 2009, when metrics started to be tracked again.
Further surveys and research have taken place since then. This has helped to provide policy makers with useful data which can contribute to decision making, with the Canadian Dental Care Plan being an example of this.
Early Findings
The survey between 1970 and 1972 was the first widescale study into the oral health of Canadians [2]. There were many findings, quite a few of which were concerning.
For example, the study found that 52% of Canadians over 60 had no teeth at all. Moreover, a follow-up study focusing on Quebec found that this number had risen to 72% [2].
The idea was that this study would be repeated every few years, so that figures could be tracked and trends identified. This would have enabled stronger data and more informed decision making.
However, this didn’t occur. This meant that for several decades, Canada had a lack of national data regarding the oral health of its citizens.
This was a particular concern in 2001, when a journal article noted that “Canada’s national and provincial data for many oral and craniofacial diseases and conditions” were “limited or non-existent” and something that “must be addressed” [3].
Moreover, the authors of the article argued that addressing this could help to make oral health an “integral component” of overall health [3]. Fortunately, this was addressed. However, it took until 2009 for this to occur.
Progress being made
While surveys had taken place between 1972 and the modern day, these had been at provincial levels and thus were difficult to compare.
Progress was made in 2005, when the position of Chief Dental Officer of Canada was created. By 2009, national oral health metrics were being tracked once again [1].
Furthermore, Statistics Canada began conducting the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS). This is a survey that collects health information from a nationally representative sample population of almost 6,000 Canadians, aged between 3 and 79 [1].
This is carried out over two-year cycles, which have continued into the modern day. Therefore, this has provided researchers with significant data in recent years.
Tracking CDCP results
The most recent survey was completed in December 2024. Therefore, results should be released either later this year or early in 2026 [1].
This survey will be particularly important, as it will serve as a baseline for tracking future changes that occur during the rollout of the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) [1].
In practice, this means that researchers will be able to see more information on who is using the CDCP over time, what services they are accessing, their demographic, and other relevant data. This can be tracked and compared over time.
With Statistics Canada – which is part of the federal government – committing significant funds to the CDCP, getting such data will help them to make informed choices in the future, which may enable money to be spent in a more efficient way.
The future
Professor Paul Allison, from the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences at the Quebec-based McGill University, heads up a team of researchers from 10 dental schools in Canada [1].
Allison received a $3.3 million grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to collaborate with Statistics Canada’s CHMS, with the intention of gathering data and closing existing oral health-related knowledge gaps [1].
In order to do this, a range of areas will be analyzed in the next survey, which will aim to provide more data than ever before. Collections will include saliva and blood. Moreover, water samples will be taken, which will help to measure fluoride levels [1].
With more data being collected than ever before, this will enable further insights and findings to be made. This will help to guide future policy decisions and shape the future of Canada’s oral health.
Thinking points…
[1] Oral health is crucial! A good way of tracking the health of your mouth is to attend regular dental check-ups. These provide a dentist with the chance to take a look at your teeth and gums. They can provide advice, suggest treatment if necessary, and note any concerns. We recommend that you book an appointment now!
[2] We mentioned above about the 1970-1972 survey. As noted, the survey helped to contribute towards the updated version of Canada’s Food Guide. In this guide, the importance of eating fruit and vegetables is made clear. These are very good for your oral health and offer a healthier option to many snacks. Have a think about your diet – could you incorporate more healthy food into it?
What we offer at Taradale Dental
Taradale Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. At our Calgary dental clinic, we provide a range of services for our patients.
We advise our patients to attend our Calgary dental clinic at least twice per year for a regular dental check-up. At these check-ups, we provide a comprehensive review of a patient’s oral health. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For example, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To strengthen your oral health, we recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing regularly.
Here at Taradale Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, teeth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.
Moreover, the fees of our treatments at our Calgary dental clinic Taradale Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. This ensures transparent and fair pricing, with no hidden costs.
We hope to see you soon at our Taradale Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://taradaledental.ca/!
References
[1] Al-Shibeeb, D. (2025). Canada rekindles oral health data surveys to track trends: ‘It was serendipity’. Available: https://www.oralhealthgroup.com/dental-industry/canada-rekindles-oral-health-data-surveys-to-track-trends-it-was-serendipity-1003984774/. Last accessed: 7th March 2025.
[2] Leake, J. L. (1988). A Review of Regional Studies on the Dental Health of Older Canadians. Gerodontology. 7 (1): p11-19. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-2358.1988.tb00299.x.
[3] Lawrence, H. P., & Leake, J. L. (2001). The U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health in America: A Canadian Perspective. Journal of the Canadian Dental Association. 67 (10): p587-596. PMID: 11737982.
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