Healthy Smile, Happy Child: partnering with Manitoba First Nations and Metis communities for better early childhood oral health. (June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kyoon-Achan, Grace; Schroth, Robert; DeMaré, Daniella; Sturym, Melina; Sanguins, Julianne; Chartrand, Frances; Campbell, Rhonda; Edwards, Jeanette; Lavoie, Josée; Moffatt, Michael
• Is Part Of: Alternative. Volume 17:issue 2(2021)
• Page Start: 265
• Page End: 274
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Subjects: First Nations -- focus groups -- Indigenous health -- Metis -- oral health promotion -- sharing circles; Indigenous peoples -- Periodicals; Maori (New Zealand people) -- Periodicals; 305.8005
• DOI: 10.1177/11771801211016873
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1177-1801

Abstract

Indigenous populations in Canada are disproportionately affected by early childhood caries. The Healthy Smile, Happy Child initiative utilizes a community development approach to encourage community uptake of evidence-based early childhood oral health promotion strategies. Sharing circles and focus groups elicited First Nations and Metis (Indigenous peoples of mixed Indigenous-European, primarily French, ancestry) views on the challenges of keeping children caries-free. We share participants' experiences and viewpoints on implementation research strategies, principles and protocols that are sensitive to Indigenous community-based contexts.