Children's Oral Health Initiative (COHI)

Children's Oral Health Initiative (COHI)

COHI is a community driven early childhood caries prevention and dental education program that strives to improve and promote optimal oral and overall health utilizing a culturally safe and trauma informed care approach. Our Registered Dental Hygienists and a community-based COHI Aide deliver the program in the 10 Anishinaabeg Communities of Southern Treaty 3.

The COHI Aide is a community member hired by the community to support the dental professional and provide some COHI services independently.

Services Provided:

  • Dental Screenings
  • Fluoride Varnish Applications
  • Dental Sealants
  • Dental Cleanings
  • Temporary Fillings
  • Silver Diamine Fluoride
  • Prenatal Oral Health Education
  • School and Classroom Presentations and Education
  • Dental Referrals

Services Details

  • Dental Screenings

    A COHI professional checks the health of the child's teeth, gums, and mouth.


    Benefits:

    A fun gentle way for children to be introduced to oral health care, identifies if a child needs to see a dentist for immediate oral health care.

  • Fluoride Varnish Applications

    A protective coating that is painted on a child’s teeth to make the enamel stronger. It helps to prevent new cavities from forming and may slow or stop existing decay from getting worse.


    Benefits:

    Helps prevent cavities, quick and easy to apply, safe to use with young children and pleasant tasting.

  • Dental Sealants

    Thin plastic coatings that are applied to the chewing surfaces of baby and adult teeth.


    Benefits:

    Create a protective barrier on teeth, effective in helping to prevent tooth decay, and are easy to apply.

  • Dental Cleanings

    The removal of plaque and tarter buildup from teeth to help keep teeth and gums healthy.


    Benefits:

    Removal of potentially harmful oral bacteria in an effort to prevent tooth decay, gingivitis, bad breath, and promote good oral health for overall health.

  • Silver Diamine Fluoride

    A liquid used on cavities to arrest tooth decay. In some cases it is now possible to use an atraumatic, non-invasive treatment to stop the caries process.


    Benefits:

    Arrests the progress of an already formed cavity in permanent and primary teeth. The silver ions act as an antimicrobial agent against the caries, while the fluoride ion acts to prevent further demineralization.

  • Temporary Fillings

    Small temporary fillings which do not require freezing that are applied to teeth that have cavities.


    Benefits:

    Stop teeth from decaying further until client can see a dentist for permanent treatment.

  • Prenatal Oral Health Education

    • Coordination of prenatal health sessions with Community Health Nurse and COHI Aide
    • Promotion of good oral health practices to include promotion of oral health visit during pregnancy, oral hygiene instruction, and other information relevant to trimester
    • Provision of oral screening if requested
    • Referral for oral health services as needed
    • Provide information on oral bacterial transmission, prevention of delivery of low birth weight babies (LBWB) as a result of poor oral health, and promotion of breast feeding and other healthy eating practices
    • Introduction to oral hygiene for baby
    • Information on bottles, pacifiers, and teething

  • School & Classroom Presentations / Education

    • We bring fun and engaging presentations that cover a variety of oral health related topics into the classroom 
    • Presentations include game based and experimental learning, oral health themed songs and activities
    • Incorporation of Anishinaabemowin language and culture
    • Brushing and flossing oral hygiene demonstrations
    • Classroom discussions to promote oral health for overall health
    • School based oral health education interventions have been shown to have positive impacts on behavioural outcomes among children

Accessing Services:

  • For more information, please call: 1-807-274-2042
  • To make a referral, please call: 1-807-274-2042, ext 5253
  • Refer by Fax: 1-807-274-8725
  • Or call the COHI cell phone: 1-807-271-1652
  • Or use our referral form below.
Get Referral Form

Who is Eligible?

  • Children aged 0-7+ years of age residing in one of the ten communities: Mishkosiminziibiing First Nation, Couchiching First Nation, Chima'aganing First Nation, Mitaanjigamiing First Nation, Gakijiwanong Anishinaabe Nation, Naicatchewenin First Nation, Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation, Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation, Manidoo Baa Witi Gong First Nation, Anishinaabeg of Naongashiing
  • Children up to grade eight attending Mikinaak Onigaming, Pegamigaabo, and Zhingwaako Zaaga'Iganing schools. Expanded age of eligibility services may also available upon request for children residing within the Anishinaabekang Communities of the Giishkaandago’Ikwe Health Services catchment area
  • The age of the child on September 1st determines eligibility. Children who turn eight within the school year can continue to receive COHI services until the end of the COHI year. Requests for services above the age of eligibility also considered upon request if unmet dental need is determined.
  • Parents, caregivers of eligible children (educational support)
  • Pregnant women