Indigeneity: a Strength-Based Approach to Oral Health of Indigenous Children.

Objectives: To determine if a relationship exists between constructs of Indigeneity (e.g., traditional language, participation in cultural events, sharing traditional foods) and untreated caries in First Nations children in Manitoba and Ontario, controlling for selected demographics and social determinants of health (SDH).
Methods: Survey and clinical exam results (n=157) were nested in a community-based participatory study. Predictor variables measured Indigeneity constructs derived from the First Nations Regional Health Survey. Outcome variables measured untreated caries using the dt index. Chi-Square tests were used to determine the statistical association between mother’s Indigeneity and untreated decay in children. Logistic regression using a combination of direct and statistical procedures was used to control for confounders.
Results: Children’s mean age was 3.4 (SD=1.1), and mean number of decayed teeth was 5.5 (SD=4.1). Three-quarters of the caregivers were biological mothers (n=108/157). A child’s odds of having three or more decayed teeth are 59% less (OR=0.41, 95% CI 0.19-0.89, p=.02) if the mother’s primary spoken language is a First Nations language. Speaking a First Nations language in daily life remained the most important factor associated with untreated decay after adjusting for child’s age, mother’s education level, food insecurity, self-perceived racism in the healthcare system, and other confounders (OR=0.341, 95% CI 0.13-0.91, p=.03).
Conclusions: Speaking a First Nation language is a powerful predictor that may be protective against dental caries. Indigeneity constructs may be harnessed as strength-based approaches to research and programming with First Nations children as language and traditional culture are positive SDH for First Nations Peoples.