A University of Toronto research team is conducting a study in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario to explore the long-term impacts of cannabis use on oral health, with a particular focus on Indigenous populations. The study aims to understand the link between cannabis smoking and oral health issues, including oral cancers, and to assess the specific effects of cannabis on oral health, especially among Indigenous youth and adults who experience poorer oral health outcomes than the general population.
A research team from the University of Toronto is seeking volunteers in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario to participate in a study investigating the long-term effects of cannabis, particularly on Indigenous populations. Emerging evidence suggests a correlation between cannabis smoking and oral health problems, including oral cancers. Dr. Frank Mauro, a member of the research team at the Confederation College dental clinic, which is collaborating on the study, highlighted this link.
The study focuses on Indigenous youth and adults because previous oral health surveys have indicated that these groups experience poorer oral health outcomes compared to the general population. Over the next three years, researchers led by Professor Herenia Lawrence from the Faculty of Dentistry will work with self-identified cannabis users and non-users from both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. Participants aged 19 to 55 with most or all of their teeth will undergo non-invasive tests conducted by trained oral health practitioners. Saliva and urine samples will be collected to measure cannabis exposure, and sensory tests will evaluate facial pain sensitivity.The researchers will closely monitor participants for any changes, including signs of inflammation in the mouth, the development of pre-cancerous lesions, and alterations in oral and facial sensory function. The study is funded by a $1.5 million grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Professor Lawrence emphasized that cannabis consumption has been linked to a higher risk of gum disease, oral infections, and cancer of the oral cavity. She added that research is crucial to understand the specific effects of cannabis on oral health, particularly as these effects are often compounded by tobacco use and other substances. The study will incorporate an Indigenous Learning Circle model to ensure Indigenous perspectives guide the research from its inception to its conclusion, and that these perspectives inform any resulting health policies. Besides Confederation College, Professor Lawrence stated that her team will collaborate with several Indigenous communities and public health authorities across Ontario and Manitoba. Participants will receive compensation of up to $250 per year. For more information, individuals can contact the research team via email or by phone at 416-978-5974
Oral Health Cannabis Indigenous Health Research University Of Toronto
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