The rate of severe early childhood dental caries was investigated in a retrospective analysis of routine oral health data collected from 10,766 children aged 5 years attending the Canterbury DHB child oral health services between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2019. Overall, 18.4% of children were classified as having severe early childhood caries. Rates were significantly different across ethnic groups with 26.2% in Māori children, 40.1% in Pacific children and 15.4% in non-Māori /non-Pacific children (p<0.001). The authors commented that the heavy oral health burden is unequally shared and the consequences have significant health and wellbeing implications, both now and in the future.
The long-standing evidence of poor oral health for children in Aotearoa, and the significant inequities by ethnicity, level of neighbourhood deprivation and location, would suggest the need for focussed effort in dental services. Therefore it was extremely disappointing to see dental care missing from the recent health and disability sector review. Hopefully this is an area the proposed Māori Health Authority will prioritise.
Independent commentary by Dr. Matire Hardwood
Dr Matire Harwood (Ngapuhi) has worked in Hauora Māori, primary health and rehabilitation settings as clinician and researcher since graduating from Auckland Medical School in 1994. She also holds positions on a number of boards, committees and advisory groups including the Health Research Council. Matire lives in Auckland with her whānau including partner Haunui and two young children Te Rangiura and Waimarie.
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