Data shows Windsor-Essex kids are getting more severe cavities - and it's getting worse

The dental health of kids in the region has progressively gotten worse over the last 10 years, according to data from the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit. 

The local health unit's data dashboard shows that between 2012 and 2022, the percentage of kids with tooth decay and/or urgent dental needs has doubled, and all other dental health indicators have been "worsening." It's also important to note that over the years, the health unit has screened fewer and fewer students, which could skew the data. 

Dental health has been a longstanding concern in Windsor-Essex, which just had fluoride pumped back into the water early last year after nearly nine years without it.

Fluoride is a mineral that prevents tooth decay, but it can increase the risk of an enamel discolouration known as fluorosis if children consume more than recommended.

"It's more severe decay than what we see, so it's progressing rapidly, which means that often students will need to see specialists because of how severe it is," said Jennifer Bradt, the health unit's oral health manager. 

The dental health statistics collected by the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) are from their school screening program, which assesses all junior and senior kindergarten students, along with some in Grade 2. 

Data from the 2020 and 2021 year is missing as the pandemic paused the in-school screening program. 

Bradt said they expected to see more tooth decay when the program started up again in April 2022.

She said her staff have noticed more cavities. Thoy've also noticed cavities that are more "severe and deeper" in both baby and adult teeth. 

Tooth decay like this often leads to infection, Bradt said. 

Bradt said the pandemic likely played a role in decay in recent years as many kids might have stopped going to the dentist or didn't have access. But it's also clear that dental health was declining before 2020. 

Bradt said one factor is not having fluoride since 2013. The health unit's data shows that since 2012, the percentage of children eligible for a topical fluoride significantly increased from 26.50 per cent to 60.10 per cent.

But the number of children being screened has decreased over the years.

In 2012, the health unit data shows that 20,336 kids were screened. During the 2021-2022 school year, 5,570 students were screened.