Dental disability days in Canada

Objectives: To estimate the number of bed-days and cut-down days due to dental problems in Canada. Methods: Questions on two-week all-cause disability days from the Canadian Community Health Survey, Canada's main national survey of health, were adjusted to query the same concept in relation to dental problems. Questions were asked on a weekly national omnibus survey based on random digit dialling and telephone interview technology (n = 1005, >18 years). Dental and socio-demographic data were also collected. Descriptive and basic regression analyses were undertaken. Results: In Canada, it is reported that for all causes, approximately 17% of the population report one or more two-week disability days. We estimate that in 2008, in one two-week period, 3.3% of Canadians, approximately one million people, stayed in bed because of a dental problem. A small majority, 54%, stayed in bed for one day, while 82% stayed in bed for up to three days. Of all who had stayed in bed, 68% also cut down on normal activity within the two-week period. Of these, 58% cut down for four days or less, and 76% cut down for up to seven days. Regression analyses demonstrates that those with low-incomes, those with no insurance, those that report toothache within the previous month, and those that had previously visited a hospital emergency department for a dental problem, were all more likely to report one or more dental disability days. Conclusion: Dental disability days are not insignificant, and point to potential problems in access to dental care in Canada. They have implications for school- and work-days lost, and represent potential costs to the Canadian health care system. With little or no public infrastructure for dental care in Canada, public dental care policy will require change to improve access to emergency dental care. Supported by Ontario Ministry of Health.