Ottawa dentists shocked by condition of refugees' teeth

When Ottawa dentistMandanaNikoui went to examine the teeth of eight-year-old KaysHaldarand his seven-year-old brother Majd, she broke down and cried.

In all her years as a pediatric dentist, she said she's never seen a child's mouth with so many cavities and other problems.

Nikoui said both boys' teeth are "rotten down to the gum lines."

"They need immediate medical attention," Nikoui said.

They need immediate medical attention.- Mandana Nikoui, pediatric dentist

It was a first for the brothers, toothe first time either boy hadsat
in a dentist'schair.

Nor had eitherboyever held a tooth brush.

Their parents fled Syria a year and a half ago. The family was holed up in Lebanon, living indeplorable conditionsuntil they were selected to come to Canada as part of the government's sponsorship program.

They arrived in Ottawa a month and a half ago.

Freeclinics

Ottawa Public Health is running these free clinics every Friday until the end of May.

Forty refugees adults and children attended Friday's clinics at two locations in Ottawa.

OPH's team of three staff dentists is getting a hand from otherdentists who volunteer their time to help Syrian refugees.

After their initial exam, many ofthe refugees will need to come back again and again for extensivedental work.

"When you have individuals who have been living in war-torn countries who are then living in refugee camps, they're unable to provide the level of care that's required," said Aaron Burry, the city'sdental officer of health.

"They can't care for themselves so they are facing a lot more dental issues than you would see in the [general]population," Bury said.