Our health begins in our mouth

Photo: Brunswick News Archives

The health of New Brunswickers begins in the mouth. It’s true; we are what we eat and when nutrition is compromised, evidence of distress in heart, lungs, muscles, blood and bones presents in the mouth and spiders throughout the rest of the body with an array of symptoms. Diabetes and heart disease are impacted by dental disease as are conditions like arthritis and fibromyalgia. The list is long. Sadly, though, dental care is not covered as part of the Medicare scheme in this province. Imagine the cost savings across the board if it was!

Fluoridation of water supplies have improved quality of health of teeth and mouth, but it was never meant to be a replacement for proper dental care which is a multi-layered process. In covering routine dental care and follow-up with cleanings and fillings, the province will save money on the other side of care – physical medicine and the costs related to treating illnesses linked to cardio-pulmonary function. Repeat infections are often rooted in the mouth but manifest in the throat and lungs. Are doctors asking the right questions of patients they see a few times a year? I think not.

The Dental Program under Health and Community Services covers exams, X-rays, extractions and fillings to a maximum of $1,000/year, as well as dentures and denture repairs; those with disability may be entitled to dental cleanings. But what about the rest who are barely making it financially and struggle to keep a roof over their head and food on the table?

Medicare should cover all levels of dental care. There are far too many in this province who live in constant pain due to dental disease which often results in tooth loss. Then there’s the social stigma of tooth loss and the anxiety it causes.

All of this could conceivably go away with the province once and for all covering dental care, beginning with early childhood interventions that include parent/caregiver. A start would be a daily morning tooth brushing regimen for children from daycare through 6^th grade with the government providing funds to support supplies.

It was wrongly believed that our oral health was up to us; our individual responsibility. In society there will always be those who are not able, for whatever reason, to make sound decisions about life choices, health care among them, so public financing of this important component of our daily lives cannot be viewed as a ‘give-away’ to the poor and those of limited means. Their issues go deeper.

Living hand to mouth, paycheck to paycheck is emotionally exhausting as people try to portion out their wages or their welfare benefits to cover all or most of their needs. Last on their list, unfortunately, is dental care. The cost of a routine exam is prohibitive for many who’ve lived on the financial fringes all of their lives, from the cradle, for far too many. Certainly, there are mechanisms in place through the province for those who are recipients of their financial systems of support. The naysayers of even that level of assistance point fingers, going on ad nauseam about people not being interested in working and laying about at home doing nothing. That’s an unfair and erroneous assessment and it’s insulting to those, often single mothers with 2 or more children, who are simultaneously juggling several different balls just to keep it all going.

The respiratory system can suffer as a result of poor oral health. Bacteria in the mouth from infected teeth and swollen gums can be breathed into the lungs or travel there through the bloodstream. Once there the bacteria can lead to respiratory infections, pneumonia, acute bronchitis, and even COPD. How many hospital admissions for heart and lung issues have their beginnings in a bad tooth and concurrent infection? I would suspect there are many. In supporting dental care, funds could be redirected to programs where children spend most of their time – in school.

It reasons that children’s dental health should be set as a priority as part of the school curriculum. A child who suffers through repeated infections cannot effectively concentrate to learn what is taught each day. Encouraging proper dental hygiene with daily reminders paves the way to improved overall health and enhanced learning. A reason to smile!

Carla MacInnis Rockwell is a freelance writer and disability rights advocate living outside Fredericton, NB with Miss Lexie, a rambunctious Maltese and Mr. Malcolm, a boisterous Havanese. She can be reached via email at carmacrockwell@xplornet.ca

Leave the cellphone alone

Photo: Miramichi Leader

I read Peter Koritansky’s recent article in The Telegraph Journal about students returning to the classroom and what he identified as three points to consider to ensure that students get the most out of their experience while they put their best forward. 

Mr. Koritansky advocates no cell phones in school – at all. School uniforms for all, and the playing of classical music before the school day begins and between classes.

I’m a yes, yes, and a yes. 

No cell phones.  Students are working; they’re on the job.  There was a life before cell phones that did not include making phone calls to friends and family during the school day and it’s concerning that parents balk at the notion that their children should be denied access. Baloney, I say. Loudly! Their pushback is nothing more than an adult tantrum. Unless a catastrophic event, what’s so important that you need to call your child at school, interrupting the teacher and the rest of the class? That is not responsible parenting.  Bending to the will of a child is also not a good idea; the adult loses credibility the moment giving in becomes part of the parenting style. I’m not being an ‘old poop’. I’m being realistic. I’m all for negotiating terms when a child wants to do a certain thing, or buy something he’s wanted for awhile, but parents need to be respectful of the rules of the classroom in the same way that they’d expect someone to respect the protocols in their own workplace.  No cellphones improves academic performance which reaps good grades to apply to applications for a stable job with advancements. A win-win. Parents do your job so your children can do theirs. 

School uniforms. Yup, again! In schools across the country, we see economic disparity illustrated in the attire worn by students, both boys and girls. Unfortunately, dress styles elicit comments or impressions that are not always an accurate assessment of the person or personality. Lack of financial resources to do the before school year shopping is an anxiety inducing poke in the gut for so many students. That first day,  passing through the doors, knowing that they won’t measure up, with no designer duds, makes young people anxious and those first few days are a nightmare. That can be avoided with inexpensive uniformity; shirts, slacks, skirts, shoes. A school sweater and a tie also creates a camaraderie, an “I belong here” that opens opportunities for students to meet and greet others of their age who may not be of their socio-economic group; sameness of dress makes that not matter. People first engagement is taking place and that is a good thing.   Meet `n greets  devoid of comparisons based on possessions – designer this or that, is a great equalizer, paving the way for lasting friendships through subsequent years of school life. When students understand that school dress code is not a punishment but a way for everyone to feel important to school life, they begin to shift their thinking, growing into WE people. Taken out of the classroom, they’re better prepared to meet the ‘rules of the road’ as they interact with members of their community, regardless of age. Bonus points for school uniform enhancing emotional growth and future potential.

                                           

I’m an all-in proponent of introducing music to the school experience, going so far as to suggest that light classical music be played during classes as well as between classes; students are unwittingly absorbing knowledge of sound, of rhythm. In some classical music they may recognize popular music --  “I’ve heard this somewhere before.”

A famous quotation from William Congreve (1670-1629)  has a lot more truth to it than he ever realized four hundred years ago. To complete the quote: "Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast. To soften rocks, or bend the knotted oak."

From my own personal experience with regard to the benefit of music, I believe that giving students, particularly those who are challenged with components of ADHD/ADD,  an opportunity listen to a composer a day would go a long way to enhancing their learning experience. Perhaps time could be set aside at end of day for them to learn about composers. Imagine the possibilities!

Carla MacInnis Rockwell is a freelance writer and disability rights advocate living outside Fredericton, NB with Miss Lexie, a rambunctious Maltese and Mr. Malcolm, a boisterous Havanese. She can be reached via email at Carla MacInnis Rockwell