Child and Oral Health Initiative

COHI is a community-based initiative to prevent tooth decay and improve oral health among First Nations children. COHI focuses on children age 0 - 7 years and is based on practical prevention and early intervention. Dental professionals use proven dental techniques. As well, COHI offers services directed at parents and other caregivers to build awareness of roles that can play to prevent tooth decay.

Dental Hygienists David Van, Dental Worker Aides Fawna Furi and Melody Chartrand.

• Referral forms and consent forms have been developed, presentations done at schools, and introduced the toothbrushing program
• Dental screenings and fluoride treatments have started. Promoting on local radio stations and community Facebook pages.
• Many referrals are sent to either the community dentist or Winnipeg for children to go for dental surgery to be put under general anesthetic.
• Sealants are a protective thin coating material to cover the pit and fissures on healthy teeth.