Children with mental health or neurodevelopmental conditions may face oral health challenges. Stress or anxiety can cause teeth grinding or jaw clenching, leading to damage and discomfort. Difficulties with consistent oral hygiene can increase the risk of cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems, creating a cycle where poor oral health and emotional distress reinforce each other. The objective of this project is to examine this.

Instead of the tooth going in the bin, parents can choose to share the tooth for a study looking at the link between mental and dental health. Participation involves: 1) Sharing their child’s fallen-out primary tooth by dropping it off at one of our sites or mailing it. The cost of mailing will be reimbursed. 2) Completing a 15-minute online survey. As a thank-you, parents will receive a gift card upon completion of both steps. After you express interest, our team will contact you to determine whether you are eligible to participate. If you are eligible, we will explain more about the study and share the next steps. If you have any questions about the study, please contact JoinPed@dal.ca